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Kuala Lumpur: Hindu devotees throughout the country celebrated Thaipusam with religious ceremonies in a merry environment including at the Sri Subramaniyar Swamy Temple at the Batu Caves, here Thursday. They assembled at the temple located in a hilly area for prayers and to perform various religious rituals.
Also present to witness the event at the religious centre which was crowded were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MIC president who is also the Health Minister, Datuk M. Saravanan and Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan.
ADVERTISEMENT A kavadi procession was also among the main attractions at the ceremony Thursday with some visitors coming with their heads shaved bald and barefooted.
Shortly after arrival, Ahmad Zahid who was wearing an ivory white kurta was garlanded and a gold-coloured sash was placed on his shoulder by the chairman of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple committee, Tan Sri R. Nadarajah.
This was a traditional form of welcoming special guests during the ceremony.
ADVERTISEMENT Ahmad Zahid also delivered a speech at the ceremony and interacted with and waved to the large crowd of visitors who cheered and clapped.
Thaipusam is celebrated during the Tamil full moon called 'Thai' in memory of the birthday of Lord Murugan, who was the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parwati.
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It is also to remember the incident when Murugan received a sacred lance from his mother to eliminate the evil power named Soorapadman and to give back prosperity to the people.
Dr Subramaniam in his speech said the celebration showed the uniqueness of the country which was rich in various festivals with the observation of the various religions.
"Despite the presence of a handful of extremists in the country, we are united in opposing this group to ensure that this country is free from any threat that could jeopardise national harmony," he added.
In GEORGE TOWN, more than a million Hindu devotees and foreign tourists gathered at the temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga and the main road leading to Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple, which is located on a hill.
As of 12.30 pm, the area was packed with Hindus carrying kavadi and the number of devotees are expected to increase until midnight.
Penang police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye was also around to monitor the situation.
He said the celebration went smoothly and 1,300 policemen were deployed to control the traffic and ensure public safety.
A businessman, Goh Ee Wei, 28, said he and his sister, Goh Ee Heng, 27, were carrying the kavadi to pay penance and as a sign of gratitude for their mother's recovery from coma.
"After a week of surgery, our mother recovered from coma. We are very grateful for that," Ee Wei said.
A. Karthigayan, 34, who had been carrying kavadi for six years said he was hoping that his brother would be blessed with a child this year.
In IPOH, more than 20,000 devotees and tourists began to throng the Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Temple in Gunung Cheroh, near Medan Istana since yesterday evening.
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Among the celebrations was the procession of the chariot bearing the deity of Lord Murugan from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Sungai Pari to the Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Temple.
More than 600 policemen are deployed to ensure public safety. – Bernama