Singapore may appear to be one of the most modern countries in the world but being part of Asia, it holds its own unique old world charms, courtesy of its rich multicultural traditions. Despite the modern architecture and world-class structures, it still plays homeage to its culture by celebrating the diverse faiths and long-held beliefs of its people. Indeed, Singapore captures the world in a nutshell.

More than the shopping experience, which I recently learned is just the icing on the cake, Singapore holds more surprises than one can imagine. Its festivals are tourists-magnets too for a lot of reasons.

One festival to look forward to if you’re planning a trip to Singapore is the Thaipusam Festival. Many dub it as the spectacular Hindu Festival – and witnessing it firsthand proves that is indeed what it is claimed to be.

The Thaipusam is celebrated during the full moon in the Hindu month of Thai. This year it fell on February. It is a tradition that is being observed not only in Singapore but also in the Hindu communities in Malaysia, southern India, and Sri Lanka.

The Thaipusam traces its history tto the legend of a devout Hindu named Idumban, who was instructed by a holy man to carry two hills on his shoulders. The hills are said to belong to Lord Marugan (also known as Subramaniam a son of God Shiva). As reward for carrying on with his instructions, Lord Murugan blessed Idumban and “declared that anybody carrying kawali (yoke of burden) as an offering to him would rewarded. “The Thaipusam has been observed in Singapore for the last 20 years or so.

The festival proper starts early as midnight for the carriers of the kawadi and their respective families. Hindu familial ties are highlighted here. The devotees’ families also participate by providing moral support through carrying milk pots and other offerings to the gods such as lime and other assortments.

As early as six in the morning, locals and foreign tourist alike begin swarming at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple along Serangoon Road. It is the starting point of a three-kilometer walk of faith that culminates at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple along Tank Road.

Any tourist who wishes to see closely how kavadis are prepared must go to Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. Here, more than a hundred devotees are pierced in their mouths, cheeks and torsos with metal spiked before they are made to carry the kavadi. A warning, though, to those who can’t stand piercing. Don’t watch the pre-ceremony preparation. The piercing of the mouth and the tongue is not for the faint of heart. What’s interesting about it, however, is that the devotees themselves don’t seem to mind the pain. It is a tradition that most of them will continue to participate in for as long as they can.

The kavadi itself is already interesting enough to observe. It is a heavy metal fixture that is decorated with peacock feathers and other colorful artistic expressions. It is not just a display of style and creativity, but away of showing off the traditions of the Hindu faith.

The preparation of the faithful is not an overnight thing. “I go on a vegetarian diet, no meat, no alcohol, and no family marital affair to cleanse my body. The length of the cleansing process varies from one week to 49 days,” says a devotee who’s been carrying the kavadi for about 20 years. And the reason for this sacrifice is because he believes in Lord Murugan. “He’s always helping me when I am in trouble, looking after my family and my parents. I will be doing it until I get really old. As long as I have the energy to carry the kavadi.”

The kavadi is not a light thing to carry. Its base is made of materials such as metal – some, wood – and has additional embellishments such as bells, milk, pots, honey, and flowers. Added to this, the devotees’ bodies have to be pierced with metal skewers with lime hanging all over.

The devotees are said to go into a trance when carrying the kavadi. It is a heavy load to say the least – and painful too. They are accompanied by drumbeats, and the prayers, chanting, and singing of their family members.

The Thaipusam officially starts at 12 in the morning and ends at 10 in the evening. After the kavadi carriers reach the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, milk pots serve as offering at the temple.

Although this festival is visited by a large number of tourists from around the world, the walk itself is very organized. There is no security hassle to think about, with designated viewing areas for everybody to have a good glimpse of this rich cultural event.