About Thaipusam
Thaipusam falls on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, when it coincides with the star Pusam — between mid-January and mid-February. It honours Murugan, the Tamil god of war, and the vel, the divine spear his mother Parvati gave him to defeat the demon Soorapadman. The countdown above tracks the days until the next Thaipusam.
The best-known celebration is at Batu Caves outside Kuala Lumpur, where more than a million people gather and devotees climb 272 steps to the temple in the limestone cave. Many carry a kavadi — a burden taken on as a vow, from a simple pot of milk balanced on the head to an elaborate steel frame of peacock feathers borne on the shoulders, often with skewers through the cheeks or tongue and hooks in the skin. Heads are shaved, bodies are painted with ash, and the crowd moves to drums and chants of "Vel, vel!" through the night.
Thaipusam is a public holiday in several Malaysian states and is marked across Singapore, Tamil Nadu — especially at Palani — Sri Lanka, Mauritius, South Africa and wherever the Tamil diaspora settled. Preparation begins weeks ahead with fasting, a vegetarian diet and abstinence.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Friday, January 22, 2027next |
| 2028 | Wednesday, February 9, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, January 30, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, January 20, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Thaipusam?
On the full-moon day of the Tamil month Thai, when the Pusam star is ascendant — between mid-January and mid-February. Upcoming dates are listed on this page.
What is a kavadi?
A physical burden carried as an act of devotion and thanks — from a pot of milk to a decorated steel arch on the shoulders, sometimes with skewers and hooks piercing the skin.
Why Batu Caves?
The temple to Murugan at the top of the 272 steps at Batu Caves, near Kuala Lumpur, is the largest Thaipusam gathering outside India, drawing over a million people.
Is Thaipusam a public holiday?
In several Malaysian states, yes, and in parts of Sri Lanka, Mauritius and India. Singapore marks it with a major procession without a public holiday.