A large crowd of over a thousand devotees gathered at the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi yesterday to celebrate the Tamil Hindu festival, Thaipoosam.
The auspicious occasion saw devotees from around Fiji pulling carts and dancing in celebration of the annual event.
The Drik Panchang website defines Thaipusam or Thaipoosam as a Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil community. The event marks the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan, the God of war a Vel or spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadam.
Temple priest Mohan Gurukul said the festival is celebrated in temples throughout India.
“Soorapadam was a ghost, and he was always killing the people and animals, so the eight devils went to Murgan and requested him to destroy Soorapadam,” he said.
“He tried for many months, but he couldn’t, so his mother Parvati gave him a weapon, he was able to do this.”
Mr Gurukul said one of the rituals include devotees pouring milk or water on the statue of Murugan.
