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 pat