KUALA LUMPUR: THE three-day Thaipusam celebrations nationwide kicked off yesterday after flags were raised at temples dedicated to Lord Murugan to signify the start of the annual Hindu festival.
In Batu Caves, the Thaipusam flag was raised after the arrival of the 7.3m-high silver chariot bearing the statue of Lord Murugan at Sri Subramaniar Temple yesterday afternoon.
The silver chariot procession began at Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee here on Thursday night, and made its way through the heart of the capital and its suburbs on a 16km journey to Batu Caves amid pomp and splendour.
The procession passed Jalan Sultan, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Perak, Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Perhentian and Jalan Ipoh Batu 5 before reaching Batu Caves.
The chariot was accompanied by thousands of devotees, besides tourists.
In George Town, the celebration kicked off to a lively start with a dual chariot procession, bearing the statue of Lord Murugan, taking to the streets of Penang.
This was the fourth consecutive year where the golden and silver chariots made their appearance.
This year, a new golden chariot made its maiden journey to the Waterfall Hilltop Murugan Temple. It began at 6am from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street, and was pulled by devotees,
The chariot was as big as the 164-year-old silver chariot, with a height of 7.3m and was specially made in Tamil Nadu, India.
The old golden chariot, which was used for Thaipusam last year, was 5.9m high and placed within the hilltop temple compound.
The silver chariot procession started from the Kovil Veedu Temple in Lebuh Penang and was pulled by two bulls. Thousands of devotees followed the two chariots by foot to the Waterfall Hilltop Murugan Temple.
Tourists and devotees were also expected to converge at Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple in Penang and Arul Subramaniar Temple in Ipoh, Perak.
Satellite television provider Astro has pulled out all stops to keep Malaysians updated on Thaipusam happenings.
It is live-streaming the celebration at temples in Malaysia and all over the world online via Astro Ulagam, while subscribers can catch proceedings through Astro GO on Vaanavil (CH 201) and Vinmeen HD (CH 231). The live-streaming began yesterday and will continue throughout today.
The coverage includes locations such as Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple in Ipoh, Perak, Thaneermalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in Penang and Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
In Malaysia, Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindus on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai (January/February).
It is mainly observed in countries where the Tamil community has a significant presence.
The word “Thaipusam” is a combination of the word “Thai” and a star named “Pusam”. This particular star shines at its brightest during the festival.
The festival commemorates the day Lord Murugan received the vel (lance) from his mother, the Goddess Parvathi, to annihilate the wicked demon Soorapadman, so that peace and prosperity can be restored for the people.
During Thaipusam, Hindus fulfil their vows by carrying kavadi and pots of milk as an offering to Lord Murugan. The return journey of the chariots will take place tomorrow.
This year’s Thaipusam is said to be special because it coincides with Chap Goh Mei, the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year. Chap Goh Mei is also regarded as the Chinese Valentine’s Day.