Thaipusam 2027 in UK: Fri, Jan 22 — Puja Time by City

Significance

The Thaipusam vow and the kavadi — carried when a prayer to Murugan is answered or for his grace — is a festival of discipline of body and mind; devotees keep a sattvik diet, celibacy and vows from 48 days before.

The kavadi (a decorated arch borne on the shoulders, sometimes with vels/hooks through the skin), the paal kudam (a pot of milk on the head) and the long barefoot walk are regarded as penance, not display; behind every kavadi is a vow.

In Singapore it is the biggest day of public religious procession (run by the Hindu Endowments Board); in several Malaysian states it is a public holiday — the largest festival of the year for the Tamil diaspora.

Puja vidhi (brief)

1. Fast before the festival (traditionally 48, at least 7 days) — vegetarian food, one meal a day, no intoxicants, celibacy; yellow/saffron clothes.
2. On Thaipusam morning bathe and light a lamp before Murugan's picture/the Vel; recite 'Om Saravanabhava' or the Kanda Shasti Kavacham; offer yellow flowers, bananas, coconut, panchamrit.
3. Visit the temple for the abhishekam; offering a paal kudam (pot of milk) is the simplest kavadi — children and elders can do it too.
4. If you carry a kavadi, follow the temple organisers' rules (registration and music rules in Singapore); let the family walk along with water and fruit.
5. At the temple, lower the kavadi, offer the vel/milk, break a coconut; prasad — pongal, vadai, payasam.
6. In the evening light a lamp at home and sing Murugan bhajans with the family; break the fast with temple prasad.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thaipusam 2027 on the same day in UK and India?

No. India: Saturday, January 23, 2027; London (UK): Friday, January 22, 2027. The tithi is judged at the local deciding moment, which falls on a different calendar day here.

Which time zone are these timings in?

Each row is in that city's own local time with daylight saving applied (UK time (GMT/BST) for London).

What is a kavadi and must everyone carry one?

A kavadi is a decorated arch carried on the shoulders when a prayer is answered or for grace — it is not compulsory. The simplest form is the paal kudam (a pot of milk on the head), which children and elders also offer.

What is the difference between Thaipusam and Pongal?

Pongal is the harvest festival on the first day of Thai (Makar Sankranti, 14 January); Thaipusam is Murugan's festival two to three weeks later in the same month, on the Pusam nakshatra.

How do I watch the procession in Singapore?

From dawn along the route from Serangoon Road (Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple) to Tank Road (Sri Thendayuthapani); roads are closed, so use public transport; do not block the kavadi bearers' path.

Is Thaipusam a holiday in Malaysia/Singapore?

A public holiday in several Malaysian states (Selangor, Penang, Johor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya); not a holiday in Singapore, but the procession is officially permitted.

Daily panchang in UK

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