ANNUAL CELEBRATION: Sih lights the kuttuvilleku at the temple accompanied by Penghulu T Komarusamy (second left) and other devotees.
KUCHING: Hindu devotees flocked to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Thursday evening to celebrate Maha Navaratri.
The festival is held in celebration of Goddess Durga.
“As we celebrate Navaratri with family and friends, it reflects how fortunate it is to be Malaysian. The country is multiracial and multi-religious and celebrates different festivals all year round.
“These festivals bring not only families together, but people as one nation,” said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng in a speech read by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) youth central chairman Sih Hua Tong.
Yong said as with any festive occasion, be it cultural or religious, Malaysians from all walks of life will celebrate together as one nation.
“Over the decades, we’ve learned to accept and respect each other’s differences and celebrate as one nation. All this makes Malaysia a melting pot of diverse cultures and a model to other nations,” he said.
Maha Navaratri has changed to a 10-day festival from the Nine Nights Festival with the addition of Vijayadashami on the last day of its culmination.
During the 10 days, various forms of Mother Mahisasura-Mardini (Durga) are worshipped with fervour.
Though Navaratri is celebrated four times a year, the most important one is the Maha Navaratri, which is celebrated between September and October.