Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival described as one of the most spectacular festivals on the Singaporean calendar of events. Our babysitter arrived and the Mommy and I took public transport to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India to see what all the fuss was about. It certainly did not disappoint. Even though we missed most of the festivities and saw only the tail end of the parade, it was more than enough to gain a sense of the spiritual devotion of the celebrants.

Hindus from all walks of life will spend anywhere from hours to days to weeks to spiritually cleanse their bodies by fasting and abstinence. The culmination of this preparation is Thaipusam, when they carry a kavadi, literally a cage, 4 km from one temple to another. What makes this procession incredible is that they carry the kavadi by hooks and spears piercing their body. Oranges and limes, symbols of protection, hang from the devotees skin on large hooks. Skewers pierce through their cheeks, lips, tongue and nose. One kavadi was actually a cart being towed by a man with half a dozen huge hooks embedded into the skin of his back. Surprisingly, there was no blood and gore but simply many happy celebrants chanting, singing and dancing as the devotees parading their spirtual burden down Serangoon Road.

The Mommy and I didn't spend too much time admiring the procession since another cultural pastime was calling us. We promptly forgot what we saw in the street as we scanned the menu of Sitara Tandoori Restaurant. Probably some of the most delicious Indian food we've had and certainly the tastiest naan considering the cook was making them fresh where all could see.