A festival for all

KUALA LUMPUR: The 127th Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves, a festival of thanksgiving and repentance held in honour of Lord Muruga who represents virtue, youth and power and destroys evil, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
A common attraction to the Hindu community here, the festivities also attract many foreigners, some who travel here almost every year to fulfil their vows.
One such man is Carl Vadivella Belle, 67, who has been carrying the kavadi since 1981 when he was posted here as a diplomat at the Australian High Commission in 1978.
"I visited Batu Caves in 1979 and had a very uplifting experience when I came here.
"Upon returning to Australia I had a vision of Lord Muruga and ever since then I have been coming here to fulfil my vows by carrying the kavadi," he told theSun when met at the temple grounds, today.
Belle added that he has carried the kavadi 22 times since and will attempt to do so whenever he is able to in the future.
Meanwhile, Indian national N. Karthik, 32, from Tamil Nadu, India, was thankful that Batu Caves allowed him to fulfil his vows similarly to what he does back in India.
"Prior to coming here and working as a paper-boy, I used to pray and fulfil my vows at various Muruga temples in Tamil Nadu. For the past two years, I have been praying for the well-being of my family and for a brighter future," he said.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community.
This year's celebration fell on Feb 9.
Thousands of devotees were seen offering prayers, carrying the paal kudam (milk pots) and kavadi while tourists took the opportunity to experience the festival.