Thaipusam

On Tuesday 7th February, Malaysian Indians who are Hindus will celebrate Thaipusam. In Kuala Lumpur, a procession with a silver chariot bearing the statue of Lord Muruga will move from a temple near Chinatown to the Batu Caves accompanied by crowds of devotees.

En route to Batu Caves, the procession will stop at the Hindu temples where devotees offer trays of thanksgiving to the priests that accompany the chariot. The priests bless these offerings. Thousands of coconuts are also smashed on the road as a form of thanksgiving.

This symbolizes the destruction of the ego and in its place is humility. The devotee who smashes the coconut is casting off his ego and humbling himself in deference to Lord Muruga.

Many devotes fast and pray, practicing abstinence and celibacy, in the month leading up to Thaipusam. They carry offerings and climb the 272 steps to the temple in the main cave to thank Lord Muruga for wishes granted. Most pray for family blessings, such as good examination results for their children and good health while some women pray to be blessed with children.

Some devotees carry the Kavadi, a wooden arch with two pots of or honey at its end, decorated with peacock feathers. There are also some who pierce their bodies with hooks and skewers and carry elaborate kavadi.

This is done in fulfillment of vows made when they prayed for Lord Muruga to grant their wishes. The kavadi bearers are usually in a trance. The women usually carry pots of milk to the shrine up in the caves.

Devotees climb up the steps to the caves’ main temple. There is an impressive 140 ft statue of Lord Muruga at the base of the Batu Caves.

When they reach the top, they lay down their kavadi. The milk and honey offerings are poured on the statue of the deity as an act of thanksgiving. The priest chants as the kavadi bearers remove the hooks and skewers from their bodies. The wounds are treated with hot ash and there is no blood. The devotees do not feel pain as they emerge from their trance.