KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Some one million Hindu devotees and tourists thronged the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves here in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Murugan.
Despite the hot and humid weather since morning, Batu Caves was filled with merriment, with some 10,000 devotees carrying kavadis and palkudams (milk pots), breaking coconuts and shaving their heads.
The temple's committee member V. Krishnamoorthi said the festival this year was merrier with 10,000 devotees fulfilling their vows, while tourists were also able to see changes around the temple.
"There are indeed many changes in the festival this time around... buildings and halls are now with a new coat of paint, there is also a new pedestrian walkway while a small hall has also been built for the devotees to fulfil their vows by shaving their heads," he said.
Unlike last year when there was traffic congestion, the traffic was well-organised this time around.
Several tourists described the festival as amazing and something very different from their own cultures.
"This is a very exciting celebration, and I'm impressed," Australian tourist James Tucker, 45, said.
Thaipusam is one of the festivals celebrated by Malaysian Hindus during the full moon in the month of "Thai" in the Tamil Calendar, which usually falls between January and early February.
Legend has it that Thaipusam began when the goddess Parvathi, Murugan's mother, gave him a bow and arrow to destroy an evil force known as Soorapadman.
Murugan's success in restoring prosperity and the well-being of the people, had become an occasion for Hindus to celebrate and observe Thaipusam.
In IPOH, some 10,000 Hindu devotees thronged the Arul Subramaniar Temple located near the Gunung Cheroh limestone here since yesterday evening.
The temple compound was a burst of colours with various activities and rituals being carried out including a chariot procession from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Sungai Pari.
Several roads in the city were chocked with cars as roads leading to Subramaniar Temple were closed since yesterday evening until midnight tonight.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was scheduled to meet the devotees at the temple at about 6.30pm today.
In PENANG, more than 90,000 Hindu devotees converged at Hindu temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga to fulfil their vows during the annual Thaipusam festival.
Penang Hindu Endowments Board vice chairman R.S.N Rayer said more than 200 Hindu devotees carried the kavadis and the palkudams and took part in the coconut breaking ritual.
"This year's Thaipusam falls on a weekend, thus making the festival even more merrier as more people are able to visit the temple," he said.
He said there were 137 "Thannir Panthal" (stalls serving free food and drinks) set up along the road heading to Jalan Kebun Bunga.
A tourist from Ireland, known only as Keith, 31, said this was his first Thaipusam experience although he had visited Penang several times.
"I was amazed to see how Thaipusam is celebrated here with huge kavadis decorated with flowers and peacock feathers," he told Bernama.
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