Lord Murugan return journey

via www.malaysiabest.net Feb 12th, 2006 by Lilian.

These two cows are prepared to pull the silver chariot with the image of Lord Murugan back from the Waterfall Gardens temple to the temple in Pitt Street.

I was at the Penang Youth Park to fetch my children from their skateboarding actitivities when I was caught in the middle of this ceremony.

Lord Murugan’s silver chariot in the distance.

I got very close to the chariot and witnessed the Lord Murugan’s image being put on the chariot. Devotees were packed there, waiting with their offerings.

The chariot about to leave the temple around 7.30 pm. Earlier, on our way to the Youth Park, we saw many people lining up along the way with sackloads of coconuts. Many of these groups are Chinese families and shopowners. These people will break the coconuts before the arrival of the silver chariot. I quipped to my husband that when most Chinese are supposed to throw oranges into the seas on Chap Goh Meh, these Chinese are throwing coconuts. A blend of different religious faiths?

The police team at full force at the temple vicinity and also along the way to manage traffic. An Indian girl waiting for her turn to make offerings to Lord Murugan before the silver chariot departs.

The sky turning dark and the chariot shining beautifully. Another glimpse, until the next year Thaipusam….

Penang Thaipusam - variety of devotees

via www.malaysiabest.net on 1/26/09

Warning : Photos may be disturbing to some people. Bigger photos can be found on my Flickr site

Over here in Penang, the day has been cloudy and breezy, very different from the past weeks when it has been scorching hot. It is indeed a blessings to all the devotees making their way on foot up the temple in Waterfall. Otherwise, it must be unbearable for everyone.

I was caught up in a traffic jam and moving at snail pace on my way home after lunch.

This group of Chinese but Hindu devotees were walking along Dato’ Keramat Road heading towards the Waterfall temple around 13:15 (clocked by my camera). This is a sight not many can endure because because they have hooks on their skin and someone is actually pulling on the ropes to make it even more painful as the hooks stretched on the skin.

I notice that these group of about 4-5 young men had been carrying out this ritual a few times. Incidentally, I also caught them on camera last year.

I got home, took a rest, left the car at home and took the motorbike out for more photos.

Thaipusam has the air of gaiety because devotees come from far and wide. There are even Caucasian men carrying the kavadis. Peddlars sell all sort of things like the above Indian woman selling peacocks feathers.

Again, I bumped into the same group of Chinese men with the kavadis. This time, it is about 16:03 (time indicated by my camera). They had walked for three hours and about to reach the temple.

Usually, once the kavadi bearers have walked up to the temple and pay homage to Lord Murugan, they will come down and remove all the hook, spears and etc.

You can see a long spear pierced through the cheeks. (I did not take frontal photo as I think it is not very polite.) When I was there, I saw a few kavadi bearers whom had already removed their spears and hooks. Well, they look normal with only some reddish marks on the face.

This is a very colourful kavadi carried by an Indian man. Pretty sight of sunflowers. Thaipusam always fascinate me. The sight, sound and the faith of the devotees.

Thaipusam Penang - Silver Chariot Journey

http://penangpage.com/thaipusam/thaipu13.jpg

Penang Thaipusam - elephant climb up the hill

via www.daylife.com on 1/27/09

24 months ago: Hindu devotees ride elephants followed by others as they climb the steps towards a temple during the preparation for the up coming Thaipusam festival in Penang island, Malaysia, Jan. 30, 2007. The festival is rooted in Hindu legend and was brought from southern India by 19th century immigrants who came to the Malaysian peninsula to work in rubber estates and government offices. The ritual, banned in India, is celebrated in cities throughout Malaysia, as well as in Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Adventure of the temple cave - Deccan Herald

Adventure of the temple cave - Deccan Herald

Deccan Herald

Adventure of the temple cave Deccan Herald, India - Jan 24, 2009 ... devotees carry milk offerings for Lord Murugan in containers or kavadis (carriers) on their shoulders and climb the steps watched by a million others. ...

Thaipusam - The Festival of Penance, Atonement and ThanksgivingBy Ange Teo

About Thaipusam -
What is surely celebrated in a grand fashion - Thaipusam, a festival of Penance, Atonement and Thanksgiving. Also known as Kavadi Festival to devotees outside Singapore and Malaysia, this year's is from the 31st January to 2nd February. Even much grander outside Tamil Nadu, the ancestral homeland f Singaporean and Malaysian Tamils. In fact, Thaipusam is fervently observed not only by Tamil Hindus but by folk of other ethnicities. Who are not necessarily Hindu themselves which either fascinates or perplexes the casual observer from a largely homogeneous society. How could this be possible? Firstly, let us trace back to the origins of the festival. Legend has it that a student was ordered by a Sage to bring him two hills which actually belonged to Lord Subramaniam. Also known as Lord Murugan, he foiled the student's attempt but then rewarded him for his devotion to the Sage. The skewers piercing devotees' cheeks and tongue signify the weapon Goddess Parvati gave to her son Lord Murugan. The weapon was to subdue three demons and their followers. Thenceforth, Thaipusam evolved into a "celebration" for penitentials who took a vow for various reasons: wanting children, passing examinations, successful business, seeking good husbands. And when their prayers are fulfilled, they partake in self-mortification for a number of years, depending on the type of vows. It is not unusual then to see Chinese and even Malay-Muslim [as recounted by an eyewitness in Batu Caves, Malaysia] participants amongst the throng. Bystanders and gawping western tourists inclusive. Thaipusam occurs during the full moon day in the tenth month of Thai of the Hindu calendar; that is between January and February. Devotees prepare themselves spiritually with extensive prayers and fasting weeks before performing devotional acts by carrying kavadi from one temple to another. Kavadi - "burden" in Tamil - is a type of portable wooden altar about four feet tall and weighing roughly 20 kg. From which hung pictures of Hindu gods, and decorated with peacock feathers. The "eyes" on the feathers are believed to ward off evil spirits. It is also believed that a sighting of the bird brings good luck, bestowing peace of mind. It is male devotees - in a trance-like state - who have skewers speared through their tongues, cheeks and bodies as a practice of self-mortification. Some women penitentials pierce only their tongues besides carrying a smaller kavadi on their shoulders. However, most other women and child devotees carry milk pots or offerings of flowers and fruits instead. A truly remarkable event that welcomes believers of other faiths to partake. Thaipusam clearly qualifies the Multicultural Unity award, if there exists such. Ange Teo is the Founder of e2m expat etiquette mentoring, a Singapore-based Cross-Cultural Communications Solutions Provider. She has worked with some of the world's leading multinational companies and Singapore-based small medium enterprises for over 20 years. Thus, Ange Teo has a good understanding on the intricacies of Intercultural work relations. Besides her intense belief in the importance of Cross-Cultural Competency - a critical aspect of an organization's global competitive advantage. For more information about e2m Cultural Intelligence [CQ]-focused Communications Solutions, please visit [http://e2mentoring.tripod.com]e2m expat etiquette mentoring. An Interculturalist's perspective on Life, the Cosmoverse and Everything: [http://thisbluemarble.blogspot.com/]the blue marble we live in

Story behind taking Kavadi to Murugan Temples

Many Hindu devotees make it a point to take Kavadi to Murugan temples, especially during Thaipusam. In South India, many devotees take Kavadi to the Murugan Temple in Palani after observing severe austerities which include begging in houses. So, what is the significance of Kavadi? The popular myth or legend behind taking kavadi is associated with Idumban and Muruga.

Idumban was a highly devoted student of Sage Agasthya. One day Sage Agasthya asked Idumban to bring two hills occupied by Lord Muruga. The two hills were Shivagiri and Shakthi giri. As a trial Idumban first lifted them up and both the mountains came up easily. Satisfied with his effort he kept them back and started preparing to take them to his Guru Agasthya.

Now, Lord Muruga was watching all this from a distance. He decided to test Idumban’s determination as well as his devotion for his master. Lord Muruga took the shape of a small child and stood atop a hill.

Idumban tried to pick up the hill but was unable to do. He kept on trying in vain and saw a child atop the hill. He asked the child to get down but the child stood his ground. The child did not move out after repeated requests and this enraged Idumban. He lost his patience and attacked the child but to his amazement all his warrior qualities could not move the child and instead he got hurt in the process.

Now, Idumban gained his composure and looked at the boy and suddenly realized who the child really was and folded his arms in reverence. Soon, Lord Muruga appeared before him and was pleased with his determination and devotion and appointed him as his guard. Lord Muruga declared that people who carry Kavadi, which symbolizes the hills of burden taken by Idumban, will be blessed. The Kavadi symbolizes the two hills that Idumban carried and people who carry Kavadi are given preference in Murugan temples.