An all-in-one celebration of cultural diversity

Delightful mashup: Lion dancers accompanying the silver chariot as it makes its way along Jalan Ipoh. — SS Kanesan/The Star.

PETALING JAYA: The streets of Kuala Lumpur became a showcase of the country’s cultural melting pot as Malaysia celebrated Chap Goh Meh and Thaipusam on the same day yesterday.

In a short clip uploaded to TikTok, the long awaited return of the silver chariot procession was seen accompanied by two lion dancers as it rolled past Jalan Ampang towards Batu Caves on Saturday night.

A massive crowd were delighted as the “lions” followed closely behind the chariot.

Chap Goh Meh, also known as the Chinese Valentines’ Day, is the 15th day of the new lunar year, which also marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Thaipusam is to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan (youngest son of Shiva and his wife Parvati) and usually falls in January or February according to the Hindu calendar.