Thaipusam in Singapore
Thaipusam fell on a Sunday this year, and I thought it was a great opportunity to catch the celebration in Singapore (since Thaipusam is not a public holiday). Started the day late, and caught some of the kavadi carrier on the road. The procession starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road and ends at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road.
The atmosphere at the road was quite muted, compared to the elaborate celebration that I have seen in Penang - where there would be piles of coconuts thrown on the road, loud music, elaborate tents set up, and hundreds of devotees walking together with the kavadi carrier.
In the wonderfully organised and heavily regulated Singapore, the celebration was quieter, and well, organised. Walked with some of the devotees towards the final stop at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, and that was where I could feel the Thaipusam atmosphere. Shoes taken off, milk offered, prayers made, and even with some drums and dance. From the temple, the path lead to a very organised tent right outside where the kavadi were taken off.
If any countries need to learn how to organise an event and ensure that they are orderly, they just need to learn from Singapore. I wonder how Singapore would organise an event like the Spain's bull running. Bet they would be able to find some bulls who would only run in designated paths.
The atmosphere at the road was quite muted, compared to the elaborate celebration that I have seen in Penang - where there would be piles of coconuts thrown on the road, loud music, elaborate tents set up, and hundreds of devotees walking together with the kavadi carrier.
In the wonderfully organised and heavily regulated Singapore, the celebration was quieter, and well, organised. Walked with some of the devotees towards the final stop at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, and that was where I could feel the Thaipusam atmosphere. Shoes taken off, milk offered, prayers made, and even with some drums and dance. From the temple, the path lead to a very organised tent right outside where the kavadi were taken off.
If any countries need to learn how to organise an event and ensure that they are orderly, they just need to learn from Singapore. I wonder how Singapore would organise an event like the Spain's bull running. Bet they would be able to find some bulls who would only run in designated paths.
