{"id":54826,"date":"2026-01-22T16:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T08:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/?p=54826"},"modified":"2026-01-22T15:40:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T07:40:07","slug":"thaipusam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/thaipusam\/","title":{"rendered":"Thaipusam 2026: Witness the Sacred Hindu Procession in Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Thaipusam is a Hindu festival whose name combines <strong>\u201cThai\u201d<\/strong>, meaning the tenth, and <strong>\u201cPusam\u201d<\/strong>, referring to the time when the moon is at its brightest.<\/p>\n<p>It takes place annually on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai. In 2026, it falls on <strong>Sunday, 1 February<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It offers a rare opportunity to witness a <strong>Hindu tradition<\/strong> that is no longer permitted in India.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"List_TOC\">\n<li><span><a href=\"#Thaipusam\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Thaipusam Overview<\/a><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Murugan\">\u2022 Honouring Lord Murugan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Schedule\">\u2022 Thaipusam Schedule<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Route\">\u2022 Procession Route &amp; Map<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"#Procession\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Thaipusam Sacred Procession<\/a><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Start\">\u2022 Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#SerangoonRd\">\u2022 Ritual Acts of Thaipusam<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Symbol\">\u2022 Key Symbols in Hinduism<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Goal\">\u2022 Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"#FinalThoughts\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"Thaipusam\" class=\"H2SubEng\">01<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Thaipusam Overview<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"Murugan\">Honouring Lord Murugan<\/h3>\n<p>At the heart of Thaipusam is <strong>Lord Murugan<\/strong>, the Hindu god of victory.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10439\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10439 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Murugan-600x440.jpg\" alt=\"Lord Murugan at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple\" width=\"600\" height=\"440\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Statue of Lord Murugan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/strong>, located near Fort Canning, is dedicated to this deity and plays a central role in the celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Schedule\">Thaipusam Schedule<\/h3>\n<p>Thaipusam unfolds over two days, with the key events outlined below.<\/p>\n<h5>Silver Chariot: 31st Jan<\/h5>\n<p>The Silver Chariot, carrying the statue of Lord Murugan, makes its way from <strong>Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/strong> to <strong>Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple<\/strong> on Keong Saik Road.<\/p>\n<h5>Procession: 1st Feb\u00a0<\/h5>\n<p>From 11:30pm on 31 January through to 1 February, devotees make their way from <strong>Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Route\">Procession Route &amp; Map<\/h3>\n<p>The procession begins at the <strong>Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple<\/strong> (\u2192<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/QKcFju5vH1t7MZxP7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>map<\/strong><\/a>), located just outside Farrer Park MRT Station.<\/p>\n<p>It then continues straight along <strong>Serangoon Road<\/strong>, passing Dhoby Ghaut before heading down Tank Road towards its final destination, the <strong>Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/strong> (\u2192<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/MFqegpCRyEpWpJ9w9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>map<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1fdDAhWDr1gTjsDyPScXzDh0rArryW6c&amp;ehbc=888888&amp;hl=en\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Please note that the route described above is based on past editions of the event and may differ slightly from this year\u2019s route.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"Procession\" class=\"H2SubEng\">02<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Thaipusam Sacred Procession<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>One of the highlights of Thaipusam is the <strong>pilgrimage procession<\/strong>. Every year, <strong>tens of thousands of devotees<\/strong> participate in a procession to the temple of Lord Murugan, seeking blessings and fulfilling their sacred vows.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Start\">Starting at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple<\/h3>\n<p>On the day itself, <strong>Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple<\/strong> \u2014 the starting point of the procession \u2014 comes alive with a palpable energy from the very early morning.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10427\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10427 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Start-600x440.jpg\" alt=\"Thaipusam procession starting from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple\" width=\"600\" height=\"440\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From here, the route spans <strong>approximately 4.5km<\/strong> to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. This marks the beginning of a sacred journey, with each step offered in devotion and gratitude to the divine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h4>Sri Srinivasa Perumal<\/h4>\n<div class=\"infocard\">\n<p><strong>Map<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/QKcFju5vH1t7MZxP7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">397 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218123<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Website<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sspt.org.sg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/sspt.org.sg\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"SerangoonRd\">Ritual Acts of Thaipusam<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Serangoon Road<\/strong> is partially closed off for Thaipusam. As the devotees pass by, flower petals are scattered along their path, with cheers rising from the crowd.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6218 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Procession-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Thaipusam procession setting off\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kavadi and piercings with hooks and skewers<\/strong> \u2014 both tangible expressions of penance and devotion during Thaipusam \u2014 are sacred acts undertaken only by those who have spent a month preparing mentally and physically.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10426 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Spike-600x288.jpg\" alt=\"Kavadi fixed to the body with skewers and spikes\n\n\" width=\"600\" height=\"288\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Weighing as much as <strong>40kg<\/strong>, the Kavadi is secured to the devotee\u2019s body by hooks and skewers extending from every angle.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6219 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Peacock-600x680.jpg\" alt=\"Thaipusam procession\" width=\"600\" height=\"680\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Other forms of penance, such as piercing the tongue and cheeks or suspending limes from the body, can also be witnessed during the procession.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Pierce-600x288.jpg\" alt=\"Thaipusam: Pierced tongue and limes on the back\" width=\"600\" height=\"288\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-54819 size-medium\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A young boy carries a wooden Kavadi, known as the Paal Kavadi. Unlike adults, devotees under 16 in Singapore are not allowed to pierce their bodies with hooks or skewers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6316 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Boy-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"Thaipusam\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Symbol\">Key Symbols in Hinduism<\/h3>\n<p>While no two Kavadis are exactly the same \u2014 each featuring its own distinct colours and decorations\u2014they still share several common elements.<\/p>\n<p>To better understand their significance within Hinduism, here is a closer look at what these traditional symbols represent.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6225 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Snaps-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"Thaipusam\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Peacock Feathers<\/h5>\n<p>In Hindu mythology, the peacock is believed to have been created from the feathers of <strong>Garuda <\/strong>\u2014 <strong>the legendary bird<\/strong> and divine mount of Lord Vishnu. Its feathers are cherished as <strong>symbols of good luck<\/strong> and are a common sight in many Hindu households.<\/p>\n<h5>Saffron Colour<\/h5>\n<p>The orange\u2011yellow saffron hue is considered sacred, representing <strong>Agni<\/strong> \u2014 the <strong>divine fire<\/strong> that dispels darkness and brings forth light.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10425\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10425 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Saffron-600x440.jpg\" alt=\"Devotees dressed in saffron, a sacred colour in Hinduism\" width=\"600\" height=\"440\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Devotees dressed in saffron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Goal\">Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/h3>\n<p>Devotees arrive one after another at the <strong>Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/strong>, bringing their arduous journey to a close.<\/p>\n<p>They offer the milk pots they\u2019ve carried to the deity and receive <strong>sacred ash<\/strong> as a sign of their fulfilled vows.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10441\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10441 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_Sanctum-600x440.jpg\" alt=\"Inner sanctum of Sri Thendayuthapani Temple\" width=\"600\" height=\"440\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the inner sanctum, priests pour the collected milk over the Vel \u2014 the sacred spear that symbolizes Lord Murugan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h4>Sri Thendayuthapani Temple<\/h4>\n<div class=\"infocard\">\n<p><strong>Map<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/MFqegpCRyEpWpJ9w9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">15 Tank Rd, Singapore 238065<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Website<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sttemple.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/sttemple.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"FinalThoughts\" class=\"H2SubEng\">03<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Devotees press forward with unwavering determination, eyes fixed ahead as they endure the rigours of their penance.<\/p>\n<p>It is a stirring sight that speaks to <strong>universal sentiments<\/strong> transcending time and faith: reverence for the divine and love for one\u2019s family.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10438\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10438 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thaipusam_FullMoon-600x440.jpg\" alt=\"Full moon on the night of Thaipusam\" width=\"600\" height=\"440\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Full moon on the night of Thaipusam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Thaipusam<\/strong> offers a rare opportunity to witness this raw, primal human strength in its purest form.<\/p>\n<p>Experience this extraordinary festival firsthand in Singapore for a deeply moving encounter with living tradition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h4>Thaipusam<\/h4>\n<div class=\"infocard\"><strong>Website<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thaipusam.sg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/thaipusam.sg\/<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thaipusam is a Hindu festival whose name combines \u201cThai\u201d, meaning the tenth, and \u201cPusam\u201d, referring to the time when the moon is at its brightest. It takes place annually on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai. In 2026, it falls on Sunday, 1 February. It offers a rare opportunity to witness a Hindu tradition that is no longer permitted in India. Thaipusam Overview \u2022 Honouring Lord Murugan \u2022 Thaipusam Schedule \u2022 Procession Route &amp; Map Thaipusam Sacred Procession \u2022 Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple \u2022 Ritual Acts of Thaipusam \u2022 Key Symbols in Hinduism \u2022 Sri Thendayuthapani Temple&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44904,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[433,434],"tags":[491,613,651],"class_list":["post-54826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","category-life-en","tag-culture-en","tag-event-en","tag-snapshot-en","area-littleindia-en"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54826"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54826\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54865,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54826\/revisions\/54865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/merlion-channel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}