Thaipusam Penang, a truly spectacular and awe inspiring event for all present. Among those drawn to the procession were foreign tourists. Foreign tourists were engrossed taking pictures of locals deep in prayers during Thaipusam Penang.
They were just too surprised and amazed, asking us how a Chinese can pray to an Indian deity. Witnessing the massive crowds in all roads literally like ants or bees swarming the streets of Penang.
Chettiar Pusam (First Day)
Chettiar Pusam started off very early in Penang Street on Wednesday morning 31st January 2007. Chandra and I were among the first few hundreds to arrive for the Chettiar Pusam, Thaipusam Penang. By 5.30am, the crowd has built up to thousands.
We saw Chettiars clad in loin cloth, walking into the Kovil Veedu and taking their place in the house to start their prayers.
As the crowd built up to thousands, we watched the video screen to the happenings inside the house. Continuous chanting of prayers and hymns and roll calls were heard. As the statue of Lord Muruga was revealed, all hands rise up in unison to pray. One by one, the chettys came out with their peacock feathered kavadis ready for the journey during Thaipusam Penang.
By then the volunteers started to get busy, a few climb up the silver chariot, and a few on the platform to receive the heavily jeweled statue of Lord Muruga from the Kovil Veedu to the 113 years old silver chariot.
Two beautifully dressed bulls were brought to the bullock cart and womenfolk gathered around to offer glittering cloth to tie on the bulls’ heads. Indian trumpets were blowing away devotional songs. Singing of devotional songs too was heard along the way from volunteers behind the silver chariot.
Down by the road sides, piles and piles of coconuts were prepared by the devotees . Devotees were helped by strangers as they got too tired from breaking piles and piles of coconuts during Thaipusam Penang.
As the chariot start its journey, trays of offerings filled with incense, camphor, joss sticks, flowers, fruits and silver glittering cloth were offered to welcome Lord Muruga.
Gratitude for having babies, young parents and grandparents lifted up the child for blessing as the chariot proceed slowly thru many stops along the 18 km route to the Nattukottai Chettiar Thandayuthapani Kovil and Waterfall temple (Balathanda-yuthapani) in Jalan Air Terjun Waterfall Road)during Thaipusam Penang.
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