AS IS tradition here, devotees from all walks of life will fulfil their vows by carrying kavadis and milk pots, in devotion to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan.

Thaipusam falls in the Tamil month of Thai. The 4km route for devotees with milk pots and kavadis begins at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road and ends at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road.

From midnight on Jan 29, devotees carrying milk pots will start walking from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in batches of 250 to 300. Those with spiked kavadis or chariot kavadis will start their journey from 2am on Jan 30.

This year, the organisers have fine-tuned their plans to avoid over-crowding and ensure a smooth event for the participants.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister, Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport, will be the guest of honour. She is scheduled to visit the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to view the preparations by devotees and proceed to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Mr Hri Kumar Nair, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, will also be attending.

On Jan 29 and 30, from 10am to 10pm, there will be a Thaipusam Exhibition at the tented area opposite Serangoon Plaza. This exhibition was first showcased at the recent China/Singapore Religious and Cultural Exhibition last December.

Cultural concerts have also been arranged on Jan 29 and 30 at the open field opposite Serangoon Plaza. From 8pm on both nights, singers from Vijay TV in India will entertain visitors with their songs.