Spectators in Singapore are soon going to witness the celebrations of the Hindu religious festival Thaipusam. The country’s officials will be imposing an alcohol ban in the area where the festival will be celebrated on January 17, 2014.
The ban will be in force from 6 pm on January 16, 2014 until 6 am local time on January 20, 2014 in the Little India precinct. The decision to ban alcohol during celebrations was made after the riot occurred on December 8, 2013, which involved 400 migrant workers from South Asia. The festival of Thaipusam marks the anniversary when Lord Murugan received a Vel – a spear – from his mother, Goddess Parvathi which helped him to destroy an evil demon.
The festival also marks the dance of Lord Shiva, which is also known as the ‘anand tandava’ dance. The dance revealed his form of Nataraja at the hallowed Shiva temple of Chidambaram in the state of Tamil Nadu. The festival is celebrated every year in South India and is also celebrated by the Tamil community in Singapore and Malaysia. It has become a tourist calendar event in both countries.
The alcohol ban has been introduced in an attempt to restore law and order after the riot in Little India, as the area tends to get crowded during the weekends and during holidays, as migrant workers spend their day off at the Indian-origin businesses and eateries.
Photo Credits: BP
