Mystical Thaipusam festival leaves foreign tourists awestruck (with VIDEO)

A Hindu devotee carries a small pot of milk (Paal Kodam) on his head as part of a ritual to pay penance to the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, at Batu Caves, on February 1, 2015. — Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — The Thaipusam festival which falls on Tuesday, may be celebrated by Hindu devotees with fervour and passion, but its rituals leave foreign tourists spellbound.

A Bernama survey of the Batu Caves and its surrounding area found it thronged by a sea of devotees since 7am today, stretching from the main entrance to the Lord Subramaniar Temple located in a cave.

Dozens of policemen were also seen monitoring the endless flow of traffic and vehicles parked at the road-shoulder from the Sri Gombak route to Selayang, stretching for more than a kilometre.

Traders who set up stalls selling food, drinks, flowers, souvenirs, clothes and accessories, also added an air of festivity to the celebrations.

United Kingdom tourists Jason McArthur, 33, and wife, Ashley, who are on honeymoon in Kuala Lumpur, were in awe as this was the first time they witnessed a ritualistic Hindu celebration.

“Despite visiting more than 15 countries, this is the first time we are witnessing how Hindus celebrate their sacred rituals with tolerance and understanding from the other races in the country. We are really happy to be in Malaysia,” said McArthur.

He said he had the opportunity to wear a ‘dhoti’, a traditional garment worn by Indian men.

Thaipusam is celebrated in the month of ‘Thai’, the 10th month in the Tamil calendar, by Hindu devotees, in honour of the deity, Lord Murugan.

During Thaipusam, devotees fulfill vows by carrying pots filled with milk, up the stairs to the cave temple.

Another tourist, Charles Stevenson, 40, from Australia, said he had witnessed such a ritual being celebrated in India before.

“In my point of view, Batu Caves resembled a ‘mini India’ and I was so surprised to see a similar ritual which I had seen in India when I visited the sub-continent in 2007,” he said.

A devotee from India, R. Allapitchay, 67, said this year marked his fourth Thaipusam in Malaysia. Previously, he celebrated the event without his wife but this time around, she accompanied him.

“I usually save sufficient money to be able to fulfill my vows here (Batu Caves) because I enjoy the experience very much.

“I have also come here to fulfill my late mother’s vow as she had intended to come here for Thaipusam but passed away before she could make the trip,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam honourary secretary, R. T.  Sundaram said this year’s celebration was quite convenient because of the two public holidays over the weekend, in conjunction with Federal Territory Day and Thaipusam.

He said visitors could expect a special exhibition celebrating 125 years of Thaipusam which began yesterday, featuring 200 photographs which chronicled the development of the festival since 1891. — Bernama

Video :

Batu Caves Murugan 125th Thaipusam