KUALA LUMPUR; The Tamil and Sikh communities in Malaysia are set to observe Chittirai Puttandu (Tamil New Year) and Vaisakhi on Friday (April 14) while the Vishu festival will be observed by the Malayalee community on Saturday (April 15).
These festivals will be celebrated on a grand scale across the country to usher in a new beginning for the Indian community.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Ganesan Thangavellu said the new year begins at 4.45pm on April 14 and this year is known as the "Shobakiruthu" year.
"As a Tamil community, we look forward to ushering in a new dawn. We hope this new year brings more wealth for the country, unity among the people, and more celebration for the community,” he told Bernama when contacted Thursday (April 13).
Ganesan said special prayers will be held in Sri Sakthi Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Brickfields here on Friday from 10.30am to 1pm while a traditional event, showcasing Silambam, Bharathanatyam, and the launch of a new Tamil calendar will take place in Sri Krishna Temple, Brickfields on April 16 from 3pm to 9pm.
The birth of the Tamil month of Chittirai is marked annually on the first day of the Tamil solar calendar.
Meanwhile, the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) president Paramjeet Singh Jai Singh said around 120,000 Sikhs in Malaysia will be celebrating Vaisakhi, the spring harvest festival and the birth of the Khalsa order by the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on Friday.
He said about 130 gurdwaras in the country are in full swing preparing for the festivities and many have already initiated their Sri Akhand Path (a continuous non-stop recital of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji religious scripture) for Vaisakhi.
"Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya started the Sri Akhand Path on Wednesday (April 12) and some other gurdwaras have started their Jodh Melas (spritual discourses) for Vaisakhi,” he added.
Paramjeet described Vaisakhi as a grand-scale celebration and carnival which includes many programmes such as the Kirtan Darbar by renowned ragi jathas (devotional singing groups) and activities such as blood donations, health screenings, kids activities, and contributions for underprivileged groups.
Malaysian Hindu Malayalee Cultural and Traditional Association president Dr NR Nambiar said according to the official panjangam (almanac) of Sri Guruvayoorappan Devaswom Kerala; Kerala Mathrubumi Panjangam; Kerala Valya Panjangam and Kerala Manorama Panjangam, Vishu will be celebrated on Saturday.
He said Vishu is observed on the first or second day of the Malayalam month (Medam) and this festival is celebrated once the sun crosses (Surya Sankramana) Meenam and enters into Medam (Aries) because the Surya Sankramana takes place late on April 14.
"The eldest female member in the family would usually arrange the 'Vishukani' (tray of items) the previous night and would also wake up the first and light up the lamps then every member of the family is brought out blindfolded to the Vishukani area where she will allow them to take in the auspicious sight,” he said.
Dr Nambiar said the Malayalam word "kani" literally means 'that which is seen first', thus vishukkani means "that which is seen first on Vishu”.
He noted that the most ideal time in this country for the ritual is from 6am to 6.30am on Saturday and no family member should be left out of this ritual. - Bernama
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