In Pictures: Thaipusam celebrations in Singapore

Thaipusam is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in honour of Lord Murugan, one of the most important Hindu deities. Here are the celebrations in Singapore.

Updated

Published

Feb 09, 2017, 07:05 AM

The chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in the evening of Feb 8, 2017. For the second year running after 42 years, live music is being played at the procession during the Thaipusam festival. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. Lord Murugan represents virtue, youth and power. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees pray to Sri Murugan as the chariot arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. Devotees seek blessings and fulfil their vows by carrying milk pots as offerings. Many also carry kavadis and pierce their bodies with steel rods and hooks. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Decorative horses line the chariot carrying Sri Murugan as it arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees seeks blessings from Sri Murugan, who represents virtue, youth and power, as the chariot arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees pray and take pictures of Sri Murugan as the chariot arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. From the early hours of Thursday (Feb 9) till midnight, devotees are to embark on a procession from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees giving offerings to the chariot carrying Sri Murugan as it arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

A devotee prays to Sri Murugan as the chariot arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. Thaipusam is a thanksgiving festival and it is a day for devotees to celebrate the fulfilment of their vows. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees pray to Sri Murugan as the chariot arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. The word Thaipusam is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. The Pusam star is at its highest point during the festival. Thaipusam is celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month of “Thai”.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Temple musicians perform as the chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. The number of static music points have been increased from nine to 23 for Thaipusam 2017. There are also three live music stages. Devotees have been told to avoid playing any musical instruments, or engage musical groups to perform, along the procession route. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees waiting for the installation of Sri Murugan in the temple as the chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. Anyone below 16 years old is allowed only to carry a Paal Kudam - a pot of milk to be poured over the statue of Lord Murugan after the procession - or a Paal Kavadi - a wooden arch which is an offering symbolising abundance and fertility. Piercing of hooks and spikes is not allowed for anyone below 16 years old. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees gathering for the installation of Sri Murugan in the temple as the chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. Devotees are encouraged to be attired appropriately. Painting of faces or bodies, or donning disguise, is not in keeping with Thaipusam practices. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Members of the temple await the installation of Sri Murugan in the temple as the chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. Thaipusam is mainly observed in countries with large Tamil communities such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Sri Murugan is ceremonially carried from the chariot back to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees await the installation of Sri Murugan in the temple as the chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on the evening of Feb 8, 2017. All devotees have to abide by rules including no consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking during the Thaipusam procession.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Devotees sit together awaiting the installation of Sri Murugan in the temple as the chariot carrying Sri Murugan arrives at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Feb 8, 2017. To Hindus, Lord Murugan is the destroyer of evil. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

ST VIDEO: KUA CHEE SIONG

ST VIDEO: KUA CHEE SIONG

ST VIDEO: TOH WEN LI

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.