KUCHING: Twenty-six kavadi (a decorative, heavy structure) bearers yesterday took part in the Thaipusam procession which began at the Sri Maha Marriamman Temple (SMMT) at Rock Road and ended at Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple at Ban Hock Road here.
Thaipusam, one of the most important Hindu festivals, is dedicated to Lord Muruga and symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
The Thaipusam Festival kicked off at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple with prayers at approximately 7am. The bearers carried different versions of “kavadi” (physical burden) as an act of penance and to thank Lord Muruga for prayers fulfilled.
The simplest form of kavadi is the “Pal Kavadi” (milk in a pot) followed by “Vel Kavadi” which also entails a milk pot but attached onto a decorated burden which is carried on the shoulders.
There is also the “Chariot Kavadi” which features a milk pot attached to more elaborate decorations and requires the devotee to pull it with hooks attached to his back.
Most devotees will also pierce themselves with skewers (vel) and hooks with mini milk pots hanging on to them.
The piercing is made possible with no pain experienced because the devotees will first attain a trance; once they are in a state of trance, the piercing will be done by experienced handlers.
Typically, these piercings miraculously leave no marks or scars and are part of the wonder that makes Thaipussam the unique event that it is.
Sahundararaju, president of the Hindu Temple Association which operates the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple at Ban Hock Road, said the Thaipusam Festival had been held in Kuching since 1970’s.
The Thaipusam possession, he said, used to begin on the bank of the Sarawak River near the Satok Bridge. It would end at Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple where the pots of milk carried by the kavadi bearers will be used to bathe the effigy of Lord Muruga.
“These days, in a show of unity between the two temples and their devotees, the procession begins at the Sri Maha Marriamman Temple at Rock Road and ends at Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple,” he said.
Shankar Ram Asnani , president of Sri Maha Marriamman Temple, explained that Thaipusam was a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival.
Thaipusam is celebrated not only in India but also in countries where there are major concentrations of Tamils such as in Malaysia, Singapore and Medan in Indonesia.
Some states in Malaysia have also declared Thaipusam as a public holiday. The festival is about faith, endurance and penance. Here in Sarawak, although Hindus are a minority, Thaipusam is still celebrated with great devotion and dynamism.
