Many people make the journey to Batu Caves in Gombak for Thaipusam before Feb 11. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star
FOR several years, Aswini Gunasekaram and her husband Tayanath Arumugan longed for a child.
When their prayers were answered just over a year ago, they made a vow to give thanks to Lord Muruga during Thaipusam.
To fulfil that promise, the couple, along with their one-year-old son Tejaswiin and extended family, travelled from Johor Baru to Batu Caves’ Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple to carry milk pots (pal kudam).
“It has been a year filled with joy and gratitude, which is why we felt it was important to come here,” said Aswini.
She said they decided to visit the temple on Feb 8 ahead of Thaipusam to avoid the massive crowds.
As part of their devotional offering, they also shaved their son’s head.
Despite arriving in Kuala Lumpur around 3am on Saturday, the family intended to return home the same day, and also plan to perform a pilgrimage to the Hindu temple in Maran, Pahang, in the coming days.
Devotees bearing milk pots and ‘kavadi’ in a procession along MRR2 to Batu Caves.
Thaipusam is an important festival for Tamil Hindus.
It is celebrated on the first full moon in the Tamil month of Thai to commemorate Goddess Parvati, who gave her son Lord Muruga a spear (vel) to eliminate the demon Soorapadman.
On Thaipusam, thousands of Hindus carry kavadi and milk pots to pay homage to Lord Muruga and fulfil their vows.
Another family who decided to offer their prayers a few days prior to Thaipusam was a mother with her two daughters, seen completing their vows by carrying milk pots.
Wearing the customary saffron-coloured salwar kameez or Punjabi suits, Kalyani Subramaniam said she had made a vow to carry the milk pots during Thaipusam for five years with her children.
“A family member recovered from a health issue and we are making good on our vows to give thanks to God,” she said as she completed her journey up to the Murugan temple.
One-year-old Tejaswiin having his head shaved.
Meanwhile, college students Edi Suryanto and Mohd Hilman Hidayat were spotted taking pictures in front of the golden statue of Lord Muruga.
The Indonesian youths said they were prompted to visit Batu Caves after hearing about it from their Malaysian friends.
“As we did not know what to expect, we decided to come a few days earlier.
“It was easy to get here with on the Komuter train and it has been a new experience for both of us,” said Edi.
Amid the sea of devotees carrying milk pots and kavadi, another group added to the vibrant energy of Thaipusam – the urumi melam drummers.
These traditional musical troupes are an essential part of the celebration, setting the rhythm for kavadi bearers as they make their way to the temple.
Among them, the Sri Om Muniswarar Urimi Melam troupe stood out in striking orange outfits.
On Saturday, the Seremban-based group had just wrapped up an intense three-hour session, accompanying a kavadi bearer up the 272 steps of the Batu Caves temple.
Urumi melam drummers set the rhythm for ‘kavadi’ bearers at Batu Caves.
“We have been doing this for 15 years, and every time, it’s an electrifying experience,” said group leader Shan Balakrishnan.
With just eight members, the troupe focuses on one kavadi bearer a day, ensuring they give their all to the performance.
In the vicinity were the flower sellers who were seen doing brisk business outside the temple compound.
Their colourful garlands drew devotees wanting to purchase them as offerings for their prayers.
Pushpa Kalithasan said she had been working for several days to create the garlands.
“There was a slight delay in the shipment, so I could only start on Feb 6.
“My mother and sisters helped and we managed to have enough garlands to set up the stall,” she said.
Since last week, a steady stream of devotees and visitors have been arriving at Batu Caves.
It was reported that 1,500 police personnel would be deployed during the Thaipusam period for crowd control.
Garlands for sale at flower stalls outside the temple compound.
Road closures
Seven routes around Batu Caves are closed to traffic until Feb 14, including the stretch at the Kampung Melayu Batu Caves traffic lights; the slip road from MRR2 to Batu Caves; and Jalan Batu Caves Lama to the temple’s main entrance.
Also closed are the stretch at the Sri Batu Caves T-junction traffic lights in front of Shell petrol station; the T-junction at Jalan SBC 8-Jalan Batu Caves Lama; MRR2 slip road from Seri Gombak to Jalan Perusahaan; and Jalan Perusahaan to Batu Caves.
In Kuala Lumpur, over 20 roads will be closed and diverted in stages from 3pm tomorrow for the return journey of the chariot carrying a statue of Lord Muruga to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee from Batu Caves.
These include Jalan Tun HS Lee, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Belia, Jalan Sri Amar, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Perhentian, Jalan Ipoh Lama (Batu Lima) and Jalan Kepong Baru.
