There are numerous myths about the celebration of Thai Poosam or Thaipusam Festival. One such legend is of a demon named Tharakasuran. He used to give a lot of trouble to the saints and rishis. Lord Shiva and Parvati called their son Lord Muruga to kill that demon. He took twelve weapons with him. Out of twelve weapons, eleven weapons were given by his father Lord Shiva and one by his mother Parvati. Lord Murga annihilated that demon in the Tamil month of Thai. Since then Thai Poosam is celebrated in all of Murgan temples.

It is celebrated in the month of January or February mostly in Tamil Nadu as well as in Malaysia and Singapore by the Tamil Community. The word “Thaipusam” is derived from the name of the month Thai and Pusam. It refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival.

On this day trenches of burning coal are laid for the devotees to walk over. People who have firm belief in this tradition remain unharmed.