KUCHING: The Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple at Jalan Ban Hock was filled with activities today as the Tamil Hindu community celebrated Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year.
The sweet scent of incense permeated the air, creating a spiritual atmosphere that welcomed both young and old to mark the beginning of a new year on the Tamil calendar.
Puthandu is a time of spiritual renewal and cultural celebration, uniting the community.
Although a small community in Kuching, the Tamils’ dedication to preserving their traditions was evident through their vibrant attires, temple rituals and the sharing of prayers.
The temple priest, Puspharajan, 29, shared his thoughts on the celebration’s significance. He explained that every year, the Tamil New Year was marked by a unique name, which held a special meaning for the community.
“For each year, we have a specific name. This year’s name is Visuvaavasu,” he said.
Puspharajan also mentioned that this year’s Tamil New Year fell in the month of Chithirai. Chithirai corresponds to the English months of April and May, starting on April 14 and ending on May 14, 2025.
He added that this naming tradition played a vital role in the celebration.
“It’s a significant part of our ritual that keeps the celebration meaningful.”
Puspharajan also highlighted that the true strength of their faith lay not just in rituals, but in the people who came together to share in these traditions.
“This celebration is more than just rituals; it’s about bringing everyone together in harmony. We may be a small community but we have a big heart,” he said.
Puspharajan also expressed gratitude for the Indian community’s ongoing support.
“Despite the challenges, the spirit of unity remains unshaken,” he said.
“The true strength of our faith lies not just in the rituals, but in the people who gather to share in this tradition.”
With that, he also emphasised the importance of engaging the younger generation in preserving these traditions.
“The temple is not just a place of worship but a place of learning and togetherness,” he continued.
“We all share a bond that only grows stronger when we celebrate together,” he explained.
This indicates how the temple engages the youth, teaching them about faith, family, and values passed down through generations.
“We make a conscious effort to involve the younger members of the community, teaching them about the importance of faith and family,” he explained.
Among those attending the temple was Sheela Charlene Nadison, a 43-year-old civil engineer, who shared her sentiments about the Tamil New Year.
“I want this year to be a new chapter. I want everything to go well for me and my kids,” she said.
“This day reminds us to be thankful. I will bring my children here so they know our roots. Despite our busy schedules, we always make time for prayers,” she added.
Sheela also shared her usual morning routine and explained why she did not follow her routine today.
“Every day, I do pooja at home. But I didn’t do pooja at home today because of the celebration. After sending the kids to school, I came here,” she explained.
Sheela planned to bring her children back for the evening pooja.
“Since the kids are in school now, I will bring them for the evening pooja so they can also receive blessings and watch how the priest performs the pooja.”
For Sheela, Tamil New Year is a time for personal reflections and sharing faith with her children, ensuring that the tradition is passed down.
“It’s not just about the grand celebrations; it’s also about the quieter, personal moments of prayers and reflections,” she said.
Choo Bee Peng, a 45-year-old part-time online lecturer from a mixed Chinese and Baba Nyonya background, has embraced the Hindu faith since childhood.
She now resides in Sarawak and took half a day off from work to join the celebration. “To me, this is like another New Year. It’s a time to renew ourselves spiritually,” she said.
Choo emphasised how the celebration connected her not only with her spiritual roots but also with the local community.
“Even though Miri and Kuching are far apart, I still meet friends and familiar faces at this temple. It shows how united we are as a community,” she said.
She also talked about the ongoing construction at the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman temple.
“Now that the documentation has been approved, I hope the state government helps the temple committee complete it. It means a lot to the community as well,” she added.
Next, Kiven Henry, a 23-year-old medical student from UNIMAS and originally from Kuala Lumpur, also shared his thoughts on the significance of the event.
“Personally, this celebration marks a new beginning. We face new challenges and have the strength to confront them with the courage and faith that God has given us,” he said.
Although Kiven couldn’t join his family in Kuala Lumpur for the Tamil New Year, he participated in the celebration virtually.
“Today at 6.30 am, my mother called and asked me to wake up and shower. At 7 am, my family video called me while doing prayers at home,” he shared.
Though Tamil New Year is not a public holiday in Sarawak, celebrations like these showcase the vibrancy and resilience of minority communities that continue to keep their traditions alive.
