01-25-2005, 10:52 PM
Hindus Nationwide Observe Thaipusam Tuesday
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Hindus in the country observe the annual Thaipusam festival Tuesday, with many devotees fulfilling their vows made to Lord Muruga for helping them recover from illness, blessing them with a child, and so on.
The festival is observed in many temples throughout the country but large-scale celebrations are held at the Sri Subramaniyar temple in Batu Caves, Selangor, the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang, and the Sri Subramaniar (Kallumalai) temple in Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh.
The Thaipusam festival is usually held over three days. One day prior to the actual date, a chariot bearing the deity Lord Muruga is taken in a procession to the temple where devotees will fulfil their vows.
After devotees fulfil their vows by carrying the "kavadi" and "paal kudam" (milk pots), the chariot bearing Lord Muruga is taken back in a procession on the third day.
In KUALA LUMPUR, the silver chariot bearing the deity Lord Muruga went in a procession today from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee to the Sri Subramaniyar temple in Batu Caves, leaving at 4 am and arriving at its destination at 2 pm.
The procession, over a distance of 15 km, was joined by more than 10,000 people walking behind the chariot.
Many of the devotees will stay on at Batu Caves to join in tomorrow's celebrations. It is estimated that more than 1.2 million people are expected there Tuesday.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who is MIC President, is expected to address the devotees Monday night.
In PENANG, more than 10,000 devotees are expected to smash coconuts in fulfilling their vows to Lord Muruga.
Hundreds of thousands of coconuts were smashed by Hindu devotees and members of the Chinese community today throughout the 10-km route taken by the chariot bearing the deity Lord Muruga from Lebuh Penang to the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple.
Fifty Hindu devotees carried the "Mayil Kavadi" (Peacock Kavadi) during the procession.
The deity of Lord Muruga was taken in procession via Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Victoria, Jalan Megazine, Jalan Dato Keramat and Jalan Utama to the Nattukottai Chettiar temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Tomorrow, the "kavadi" bearers will be joined by more than 500,000 Hindus and local and foreign tourists at the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Some 105 "Thannir Panthal" (drinks stalls) offering free food and drinks have been set up along Jalan Utama towards Jalan Kebun Bunga.
The Penang Municipal Council has deployed 200 workers to scoop up and dispose the anticipated 25 tonnes of smashed coconuts.
In IPOH, several major roads in the city will be closed in stages during the three days from Monday to facilitate the chariot and "kavadi" processions.
Ipoh Deputy OCPD Supt Che Sab Hanafiah said the roads affected Monday were Jalan Sungai Pari, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Lahat, Jalan Sultan Yusof, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah and the roundabout in front of Ipoh Hospital.
The roads to be closed in stages on Wednesday were Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Jalan Sultan Yusof, Jalan Lahat, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Buntong and Jalan Sungai Pari, he told reporters.
Che Sab said about 100,000 Hindu devotees were expected to converge in Ipoh to observe the festival.
About 100 traffic policemen would be deployed for traffic control during the festival, he added.
-- BERNAMA<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Hindus in the country observe the annual Thaipusam festival Tuesday, with many devotees fulfilling their vows made to Lord Muruga for helping them recover from illness, blessing them with a child, and so on.
The festival is observed in many temples throughout the country but large-scale celebrations are held at the Sri Subramaniyar temple in Batu Caves, Selangor, the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang, and the Sri Subramaniar (Kallumalai) temple in Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh.
The Thaipusam festival is usually held over three days. One day prior to the actual date, a chariot bearing the deity Lord Muruga is taken in a procession to the temple where devotees will fulfil their vows.
After devotees fulfil their vows by carrying the "kavadi" and "paal kudam" (milk pots), the chariot bearing Lord Muruga is taken back in a procession on the third day.
In KUALA LUMPUR, the silver chariot bearing the deity Lord Muruga went in a procession today from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee to the Sri Subramaniyar temple in Batu Caves, leaving at 4 am and arriving at its destination at 2 pm.
The procession, over a distance of 15 km, was joined by more than 10,000 people walking behind the chariot.
Many of the devotees will stay on at Batu Caves to join in tomorrow's celebrations. It is estimated that more than 1.2 million people are expected there Tuesday.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who is MIC President, is expected to address the devotees Monday night.
In PENANG, more than 10,000 devotees are expected to smash coconuts in fulfilling their vows to Lord Muruga.
Hundreds of thousands of coconuts were smashed by Hindu devotees and members of the Chinese community today throughout the 10-km route taken by the chariot bearing the deity Lord Muruga from Lebuh Penang to the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple.
Fifty Hindu devotees carried the "Mayil Kavadi" (Peacock Kavadi) during the procession.
The deity of Lord Muruga was taken in procession via Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Victoria, Jalan Megazine, Jalan Dato Keramat and Jalan Utama to the Nattukottai Chettiar temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Tomorrow, the "kavadi" bearers will be joined by more than 500,000 Hindus and local and foreign tourists at the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Some 105 "Thannir Panthal" (drinks stalls) offering free food and drinks have been set up along Jalan Utama towards Jalan Kebun Bunga.
The Penang Municipal Council has deployed 200 workers to scoop up and dispose the anticipated 25 tonnes of smashed coconuts.
In IPOH, several major roads in the city will be closed in stages during the three days from Monday to facilitate the chariot and "kavadi" processions.
Ipoh Deputy OCPD Supt Che Sab Hanafiah said the roads affected Monday were Jalan Sungai Pari, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Lahat, Jalan Sultan Yusof, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah and the roundabout in front of Ipoh Hospital.
The roads to be closed in stages on Wednesday were Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Jalan Sultan Yusof, Jalan Lahat, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Buntong and Jalan Sungai Pari, he told reporters.
Che Sab said about 100,000 Hindu devotees were expected to converge in Ipoh to observe the festival.
About 100 traffic policemen would be deployed for traffic control during the festival, he added.
-- BERNAMA<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->