The Captivating Festival of Thaipusam

Thaipusam is one of the most captivating Hindu festivals, and this tour gives you a rare chance to experience it up close. You’ll witness devotees enter a trance-like state, with some having their bodies pierced by metal spikes. A vibrant, colourful procession then unfolds, as participants carry heavy, elaborately decorated ‘kavadis’ from a temple on Serangoon Road, walking 4km to another Hindu temple.

Along the way, our guide, Charlotte Chu, will share the legends, stories, and rituals behind Thaipusam. You’ll have the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere, with music, chanting, and the rhythmic clapping of participants adding to the energy. At the temple, you’ll see how devotees prepare for this deeply significant journey. The bus will also follow the procession to its end, where you can witness the devotees removing the spikes with nary a drop of blood, a moment that never fails to fascinate and awe.

NOTES: Please dress modestly and wear footwear that is easy to slip on and off. Feel free to bring wet wipes if you would like to clean your feet afterwards. There is no refreshment stop during the tour, so please bring a bottle of water. The tour finishes at a second temple in River Valley and the bus will not return to Newton

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