KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — Like in previous years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today spent time together with the other communities in appreciating the uniqueness of the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves, here.
Clad in a cream kurta, an Indian traditional attire, Najib arrived at the the Batu Caves grounds, where thousands had thronged, at 10.15am.
He was received by MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S.Subramaniam, Gerakan vice-president A. Kohilan Pilay and Malaysia’s special ambassador to India and South Asia, Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.
Also there to welcome Najib were MIC vice-president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and the party’s Central Working Committee member P.Kamalanathan.
Since early morning, thousands of Hindus converged at Batu Caves where the Sri Subramaniar temple is located, to partake in the religious festival to express gratitude, fulfil a vow or do penance.
Among the sea of people were foreign tourists who watched with interest and captured snapshots of the colourful kavadi procession and other features of the festival.
Najib also visited the many stalls at the location and exchanged greetings with the Hindu devotees and visitors.
The prime minister was then taken to the top level of the temple building from where he waved to the huge crowd on the ground.
Najib also spent time discussing with the Indian community leaders and Batu Caves temple management on the government’s commitment to the country’s Hindu community.
The Thaipusam celebration this year is more special as 2014 is also Visit Malaysia Year, which was launched in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Najib’s Thaipusam message….
Najib in his special message in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration, said it was not only a religious festival but part of the main agenda in the country’s tourism calendar.
Meanwhile, Kamalanathan who is also Deputy Education Minister, when met by reporters, said the prime minister expressed awe at the Thaipusam celebration witnessed by tens of thousands of people including many from other races and religions.
He said the prime minister also stated that the government was prepared to assist in the development of the Batu Caves area.
Celebrations in Ipoh….
In IPOH, thousands of Hindus converged at the Arul Subramaniar temple, located close to the Gunung Cheroh limestone hills since yesterday evening for the Thaipusam celebration.
Some devotees shaved their heads to fulfil a vow while there were also those who walked in a procession carrying pots of milk or colourfully decorated kavadis, asking for blessings or as an act of penance.
The atmosphere around the temple since yesterday was also akin to a colourful fiesta as there were also several stalls selling clothes, fashion accessories, toys, delicacies and drinks while some sponsors’ stalls offered free drinks to the devotees.
To ensure public safety, the police have also stationed its personnel and a mobile beat there since three days ago until the celebration ends tomorrow. They are assisted by Rela members.
Thaipusam in Penang…
In GEORGE TOWN, more than 200,000 Hindus and foreign tourists thronged the temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga and Jalan Air Terjun to watch the pal koodam (milk pots) and kavadi processions and other Thaipusam religious rites.
The road (Jalan Air Terjun) to the Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani temple, located on a hill, was very congested with devotees and onlookers as at past noon and the crowd was expected to get bigger tonight.
P.Prakash, 36, from Kepala Batas, said he arrived at the celebration location with his wife I. Suruthi, also 36, with their eight-year-old twin sons, Kugaran and Kumaran, at 7am.
“Every year, I am here with my family. I think the celebration, however, is merrier this year as more young peope have come to fulfil their vows, which is a good development.
“My sons and I too shaved our heads to ask for safety and good health for the family,” he told Bernama.
A tourist from London, Ian Johnson, 41, eagerly took the opportunity to witness the celebration, climbing 276 steps to the temple, and recording the festivities on camera and video.
“Such an amazing culture. It is my first time seeing this and I will share this (photos and video) on my blog and tell my students about this,” said Johnson, a high school teacher.
— BERNAMA
