KUALA LUMPUR: For the past two years, Hindu devotees in Malaysia were not able to celebrate the Thaipusam festival as a result of the COVID-19 curbs. Dedicated to the Hindu god of war, Lord Muruga, the festival is a time of repentance for devotees through penance and prayers that lasts for more than a mont
KUALA LUMPUR: For the past two years, Hindu devotees in Malaysia were not able to celebrate the Thaipusam festival as a result of the COVID-19 curbs.
Ganesan delivers the kavadi to Selvakumar’s house for it to be prepared for Sugumaran, who will be carrying it during the Thaipusam celebration. A devoted follower of Lord Muruga since he was a teenager, Sugumaran told CNA that he had carried the kavadi for 10 consecutive years before Thaipusam was cancelled in the last two years.
On Jan 31, Sugumaran managed to fulfill his vow and carried the kavadi up to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.At the "Attangkarai", Sugumaran is blessed by a priest before he starts carrying the kavadi on his shoulders. To carry the kavadi, Sugumaran became a vegetarian and performed prayers for 48 days prior to the ritual.
Sugumaran said it took him about 25 minutes to carry the kavadi - which weighed about 45kg - up to the temple. While Sugumaran has completed his vows, many more are expected to throng Batu Caves and other Hindu temples all over the country this weekend to perform their penance.
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