Thaipusam celebrates victory of Lord Murugan

02 Feb 2015 / 20:46 H.
    Thaipusam celebrates victory of Lord Murugan
    Hindu devotees perform their religious rites during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Feb 2, 2015. SUNPIX by ADIB RAWI YAHYA
    Thaipusam celebrates victory of Lord Murugan
    Hindu devotees carries a milk pot on her head to perform their religious rites during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Feb 2, 2015. SUNPIX by ADIB RAWI YAHYA
    Thaipusam celebrates victory of Lord Murugan
    Hindu devotees perform their religious rites before walking up the stairs during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Feb 2, 2015. SUNPIX by ADIB RAWI YAHYA
    Thaipusam celebrates victory of Lord Murugan
    A young hindu devotees wait to perform their religious rites during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Feb 2, 2015. The Hindu festival of Thaipusam commemorates the day when Goddess Pavarthi gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance with which he destroyed evil demons. SUNPIX by ADIB RAWI YAHYA
    Thaipusam celebrates victory of Lord Murugan
    Hindu devotees follow the silver chariot to Batu Caves on the eve of the Thaipusam festival. SUNPIX by ADIB RAWI YAHYA

KUALA LUMPUR: Thaipusam is to celebrate the victory of Lord Murugan defeating the Surapadman devil.
According to Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple secretary R. T. Sundaram, Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindus in the month of "Thai", which is the 10th month in the Tamil calendar and during "pusam" (full moon).
"This is the day where Goddess Parvathi gave the 'vel'(spear) to Lord Murugan to vanquish the evil demon," Sundaram told theSun.
Devotees prepare themselves for Thaipusam spiritually by fasting and praying before performing acts of penance or thanksgiving like carrying "Kavadis" and "Paal Kudam" (pots filled with milk) up the stairs leading to the temple in the cave to make or fulfill their vows.
Thaipusam has been celebrated in Batu Caves since 1891 in which this year marks the 125th anniversary of Thaipusam in Batu Caves.
"Batu Caves has become very popular as many people have make their vows here, and I'm pretty sure there are a lot of success stories,"
"I think people's wishes have been fulfilled by Lord Murugan and that is why they are giving homage to the Lord here," Sundaram said.
When asked on why the devotees pierced their skin, especially when carrying the "kavadi", Sundaram said it is up to the individual on how to make their vow.
"Devotees might have taken a vow that they will perform such and such a deed if their prayers were answered. They might incorporate an element of pain in the act of fulfilment, but I am not at the state to certify this," Sundaram said.
The highlights of each year's Thaipusam is the "Silver Chariot" procession where the idols of Lord Murugan and his two consorts Valli and Theivanai will take a march from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.
"The significance is Lord Murugan's mother (Mariamman) temple is in Jalan Tun HS Lee and she has given the will to Lord Murugan to take the journey to Batu Caves," Sundaram said.
It is expected that over 1.6 million people will visit the temple in Batu Caves for this year's Thaipusam.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is also expected to participate and witness the unique celebrations at Batu Caves at 10am on Thaipusam day.
When asked on his wish for this year's Thaipusam, Sundaram said it is not proper, as it is not a celebration like Deepavali or Ponggal.
"However, I advice all the devotees to actually be properly attired and clean when coming here," Sundaram said.

sentifi.com

thesundaily_my Sentifi Top 10 talked about stocks