Every year during the full moon day of the solar month of Thai (Jan 14 to Feb 15), Hindus world over with ancestry in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, celebrate the defeat of the demon Surapadman by the Hindu Deity of war and Celestial General, Murugan, with the festival of Thai Poosam.
In commemoration of Murugan’s victory, worshippers visit one of his many temples carrying a physical burden as a means of balancing a spiritual debt or on behalf of a loved one who is in need of help or healing. Such burdens may consist of an offering, such as a pot of cow’s milk, or a decorative arched frame called a Kavadi.
On February 8th, 2025, Thirumurugatrupadai (Thee-Ru-Mu-Ru-Gaa-True-Pa-Dai) volunteer group based in Ventura County, will organize and celebrate Thai Poosam by performing a spiritual walk to the Malibu Hindu Temple, and the Ventura County Interfaith Community has been invited to observe the festival. If you join us, you will see the entry of the procession into the temple grounds, observe a puja interpreted by Hari Pothulu, one of the event organizers, and if you so choose, enjoy a delicious Indian lunch.
See below for the information that you’ll need to visit the festival, including:
- Time, date, and location,
- Timeline for the day’s events,
- A guideline for appropriate dress,
- How to get more information
We hope you’ll join us!
Time, Date, and Location
On February 8th, we’ll meet at 11:30 in the parking lot of the Malibu Hindu Temple (1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Rd, Calabasas, CA).
Timeline for the Day’s Events*
After meeting in the parking lot of the Malibu Hindu Temple at 11:30, we’ll
- Be guided to the Shiva temple on the temple grounds at 11:45 where we will observe the arrival of the procession
- From noon to 12:45 we will observe a puja interpreted by Hari Pothulu, one of the organizers of the festival
- After the puja, we will allow a few moments during which Hari will answer our questions
- Around 1:00 those who register in advance will enjoy a delicious Indian lunch in the temple parking lot. While the lunch is graciously offered for free by the organizers, you must register here before February 2nd if you’d like to participate.
*Because the temple is currently in a mandatory evacuation zone, and because events like this are difficult to time exactly, the times listed above are approximate. To be kept up date on changes to the timeline should they occur, please consider joining our mailing list here.
Guidelines for Appropriate Dress
Out of respect for the temple and the devotees worshipping at the temple, we suggest the following guidelines for appropriate dress:
- Wear loose clothing that covers your shoulders, chest and knees
- Avoid shorts, short skirts, tank tops, and sleeveless tops
- Wear something that will allow you, should you choose, to sit in a cross-legged position comfortably
- Wear comfortable shoes that can be easily removed on entry to the temple grounds. (No shoes are permitted in the temple grounds.)
Miscellaneous Information
Please note, no food is permitted on the temple grounds.
Need more information? Do not contact the temple as they are providing the venue for this event. Instead, contact Tim Helton at tim@timhelton.com.
