Good news! Next Tuesday is a public holiday, which is the Thaipusam holiday.
Thaipusam 2022 falls on January 18 (Tuesday), and all 7 states in the country can enjoy the holiday. The states and territories that can enjoy the holiday are Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, and Selangor, while people in other states cannot enjoy this holiday.
The annual Thaipusam festival falls on the full moon “Thai”, the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, which is either January or February in the Gregorian calendar. Thaipusam is a day to commemorate the Indian god of war, Dewa Murugan, who annihilated the three-headed demon in the name of virtue under the divine will.
Thaipusam is a festival of atonement, vows, and pure heart. Many devout believers and ascetics will pierce their mouths and bodies with sharp objects such as long needles and iron wires. The objects covered with wishes climbed up the steps of the Batu Caves step by step to pray.
If you can’t enjoy the Thaipusam holiday on January 18, then you can enjoy the national public holiday which is the Chinese Lunar New Year.
