Thai Pusam

[Vinayaka]

Thai Pusam is this week. Unheard of to most Vaishnavites and many north Indian Hindus, this Saivite festival is most likely the most austere festival of all Hindu festivals. Murugan bhaktars do a variety of penance to beseech, make vows, give thanks, get will power going and more.

To the unfamiliar, it can be unusual and daunting, to the familiar, it is sheer bliss.

To those who celebrate, I pray your petitions are answered.

Aum Saravanabhava!

[Shivani Devi]

Namaste.

When I was 12 years old, I saw my first Thai Pusam festival (I've seen three), when my father's job took us to Batu Caves in Malaysia, so he could take photographs of the festival for a travel magazine he was working for at the time.

In the throng of humanity, I became separated from my family and wound up hiding behind a door inside a temple, watching the priests rub cow dung all over the bhakta's body before piercing their cheeks/temples with the Vel or embedding fish hooks into their backs to carry the Kavadi...there was no blood...no pain...nothing whatsoever besides a very vibrant and electric atmosphere.

I was at a very impressionable age....even more 'impressionable' when I saw my first ever picture/photo of Lord Shiva and fell in love on the spot.

They eventually found me and took me to the police station where my family was waiting...but in that space of time, my 'spiritual virginity' had been lost.

Thai Pusam is/was a very important aspect of my own Tantric spirituality, even though I don't worship the 'sons of Shiva'. It goes to show how mind over matter can be very positive and influential....I get the same feelings during fire walking or the Balinese Kris ceremony. Very important and sacred ceremonies!

I also pray all the petitions are answered for all those who undertake this sublime and devotional penance.

Aum Namah Shivaya