A devotee carries a ‘kavadi’ to pay penance to Lord Murugan.
KUCHING: The Hindu community here marked Thaipusam on a grander scale this year with the annual procession starting at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Rock Road for the first time.
Devotees and their family members assembled at the temple as early as 7am for various rituals, including the shaving ceremony, which in previous years would have taken place at the former ferry ramp by the riverbank at Satok Bridge.
Yesterday’s procession involved 30 devotees – 22 carrying ‘paal kudam’ (milk pots), two pulling the ‘ratham’ (holy shrine of Lord Murugan) and six carrying ‘kavadi’ along the route to Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple at Ban Hock Road.
Among them was Sivanesan Sanmugalingan, who carried a ‘kavadi’ to ask Lord Murugan for the speedy recovery of his father, who survived his third stroke.
“I am glad that I have reached this point after fasting for a month,” he told reporters.
“I am glad now that the Thaipusam celebration is recorded in the Sarawak (Government) Almanac for the first time, even though it is not a public holiday yet.”
He said devotees did penance for different reasons including to seeking prosperity, good health and fertility.
Other Hindu community members joined the procession behind the devotees and chanted the word ‘Vel’ to praise Lord Murugan for his bravery.
“This year we got a very good response from the Hindu community in Kuching and also the devotees, unlike the previous years, as the two temples worked together and organised the celebration,” said Kapitan Lucy Lingam, who was among those joining the procession.
“There are more participants and the weather has been good this morning for those devotees doing the penance to Lord Murugan and to seek his blessings.”
Lucy said she hoped the religious celebration can be enjoyed by all people irrespective of race or religion.
Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple secretary R Nadison explained that Thaipusam is a holy month for Hindus.
“It commemorates the Goddess Parvati, who gave Lord Murugan a spear — Vel — to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadmam,” he said.
“Today, many Hindu devotees who have done their ritual and spiritual cleansing will seek solace from the goddess.”
Nadison said he hoped Thaipusam would foster greater unity among the small Indian community here.
He added that they had last year met with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to discuss declaring Deepavali as a public holiday in Sarawak.
Hailed as one of the biggest Hindu celebrations in Malaysia, Thaipusam is celebrated each year under the full moon in the 10th month of the Hindu calender ‘Thai Masam’.