KUALA LUMPUR: Thaipusam, which takes place on the full moon day in the month of 'Thai', the 10th month (Jan/Feb) of the Tamil calendar, was celebrated by millions of Hindus across the country to honour Hindu deity Lord Muruga, on Saturday.
The religious festivity was especially merry in Batu Caves, which saw a sea of devotees, as well as local and foreign tourists, gathered at the Sri Subramaniar Swami Temple as early as 6.30am and climbing the 272 steps leading to the temple.
Thousands of devotees attending the religious ceremony fulfilled their vows by carrying 'Paal Kudam' (milk) and 'kavadi' in addition to breaking of coconuts and shaving their head to fulfil their vows, signifying a symbol of purification.
In SELANGOR, student Chin Siew Bee, 23, took the opportunity to take her family to Batu Caves to experience the festive atmosphere.
"I took the bus from Sri Gombak, as it was difficult to park, and this is the first time I had come here to see the celebration. It was very exciting when I had the opportunity to witness the milk bathing ritual as well as climb the 272 steps," she said.
A check by Bernama found that locals and foreign tourists also took precautionary measures by wearing their face masks following the 2019 coronavirus outbreak.
Romanian tourist, who only wanted to be known as Bogdan, 23, said there was a need to take extra protection especially in crowded places.
In PENANG, thousands of devotees began flooding Jalan Kebun Bunga in George Town as early as 6am, wearing yellow clothing to symbolise purity, before walking two kilometres to the Shree Balathandayuthuthani's Thanneermalai Temple.
A number of devotees also fulfilled their vows by carrying ‘Kavadi’s ‘Paal Kudams’ (milk pots) as tourists watched on in amazement the unique religious festival.
Penang police chief Datuk T. Narenasagaran said Thaipusam's celebrations which kicked-off in the state on Friday was smooth going and incident free.
In PERAK, the Sri Subramaniar Temple located at Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh was the focus of thousands of Hindu devotees during Thaipusam with the Silver Chariot bearing Lord Muruga and consorts Valli as well as Deivanai snaked its way through the Perak capital from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Sungai Pari in Buntong before arriving at the Sri Subramaniar Temple.
The procession, accompanied by traditional musical instruments and temporary 'Thanner Pantall' (refreshment kiosks) lining up the route provided free food and drinks to devotees, local and foreign tourists alike accompanying the chariot.
In KEDAH, an estimated 100,000 Hindus congregated the Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam (Sri Subramaniya Temple) located at Jalan Kuala Ketil in Pekan Lama, Sungai Petani to perform their vows.
In addition to Hindus, individuals from the Chinese community were also seen attending the religious ceremony by taking part in prayers including fulfilling vows by carrying 'kavadi' and 'Paal Koodam'.
Vivian Ng, 45, from Taman Intan, Sungai Petani, said despite being Chinese, she did not prevent family members from coming to pay their vows and pray for their well-being.
In JOHOR, the Sri Muniswarar Temple at Jalan Skudai-Johor Baru, Tampoi was the focal point of the local Hindu community as devotees participated in prayers and fulfilled their vows.
The religious festivity also saw ‘Kavadis’ being carried by devotees for a distance of four kilometres from the temple to Sri Subramaniar Temple at Jalan Pengkalan Rinting Road and back to Sri Muniswarar temple.
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, though there were no large scale ‘Kavadi’ processions held this year, Thaipusam celebration remained vibrant.
A check at the Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Temple at Jalan Yam Tuan, the oldest and largest Hindu temple in Seremban, found some 2,000 devotees flooding the temple as early as 6am to perform prayers and other religious activities.
In SABAH, over 1,000 Hindus from various districts in Sabah attended the Thaipusam celebration at Sri Subramaniar Temple, Lok Kawi Camp.
The word Thaipus
am is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. This particular star is at its highest point during the festival.
The festival commemorates the day Lord Muruga received the ‘vel’ (lance) from his mother, Goddess Parvathi, to annihilate the wicked demon, Soorapadman, to restore prosperity to the people. -- Bernama