Grateful for gift: Rughanesan (above) looking at people taking the free vel (below) given at his store in Johor Baru. — Bernama
JOHOR BARU: What began as a small gesture to gift vel to customers has grown into a community service effort after an outlet received 700 requests for it across the state ahead of Thaipusam.
Theertana Mahligai co-owner R. Rughanesan said the initiative stemmed from his concern for devotees who might be unable to afford vels, an essential item for prayers during the festival.
“When I found out how expensive vels were, I thought it would be better to look for a cheaper way to get them so I could give them away free to the less fortunate,” he said at his shop at Old Broadway Theater at Jalan Segget.
The vel is the sacred spear of Lord Murugan, symbolising courage and spiritual power, and is used by devotees for prayers at home or in temples, and during rituals and ceremonies throughout Thaipusam.
Rughanesan, 42, said the vels distributed were made of high-quality gold brass and were specially ordered from India, at a total cost (including import charges) of about RM34,000.
“Initially, I ordered 300 vel for local customers in Johor, but they sold out very quickly. I had to order 400 more to meet demand from other states.
“For big families, the price of a vel can be quite high depending on its size. If I can help in even a small way, it’ll give more devotees the chance to have one,” said the eldest of three siblings, Bernama reported.
The market price of a vel varies by size, ranging from between RM30-RM40 for a five-inch vel, RM50 to RM60 for a seven-inch one and RM100 for a 10-inch one.
Rughanesan said the response far exceeded expectations, with requests coming from Penang, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Perak, Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
Nearly 700 vel have been distributed across the country, with shipping fully covered by Theertana Mahligai, while any donations from recipients remain voluntary and channelled entirely to charity.
He said donations would be used to prepare a traditional Indian yogurt-based drink to be handed out free to about 1,500 devotees at the Arulmigu Thandayuthapani Temple, Wadi Hana, during the festival.
“We expect to prepare around 250 to 300 litres of the yogurt drink. If the donations don’t cover it all, we’ll add from our own funds,” he said.
Rughanesan, who is from Ipoh, said the free vel distribution was one of the first in the country, and the requests he received from the elderly and less fortunate had a profound impact on him.
