Sacred journey: Devotees begin their pilgrimage to worship Lord Muruga at Batu Caves ahead of Thaipusam. — ART CHEN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of Hindu devotees carrying “archanai” – trays filled with coconuts, money, fruits and flowers – thronged the city centre to take part in the silver chariot procession in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration.
The procession began at about 9pm on Friday from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Jalan Tun HS Lee and headed towards the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.
The chariot, carrying the statue of Lord Muruga, was accompanied by the sounds of traditional Indian musical instruments, including the “mridangam” and “nadaswaram”, as well as devotees carrying “paal kudam” and various religious performances.
The atmosphere along the procession route was lively yet orderly, with personnel from the police’s Federal Reserve Unit and volunteers on duty to manage security and traffic, Bernama reported.
Young devotees: Children carrying ‘paal kudam’ at Batu Caves.
Meanwhile, “thaneer panthal” tents offering free food and drinks to visitors added to the festive atmosphere.
Sharing her experience, devotee K. Vishalini, 29, said attending the procession from its starting point was deeply meaningful.
“When you come here for Thaipusam, it’s not just about the prayers, but also the feeling and the atmosphere.
“This is where the journey begins. When we first see Lord Muruga on the chariot at the starting point, we feel truly blessed. This is also where the crowd gathers and the energy starts,” she said.
Vishalini added that her family plans to continue following the procession.
She also highlighted that Thaipusam symbolises unity and togetherness beyond personal vows.
“Thaipusam is not only about prayers; it is also about unity. My brother-in-law, for example, completed his paal kudam vow last week. Tonight (Friday), he is walking alongside the chariot as a form of devotion, following it wherever it goes.
“Along the way, you can see the canopies, the music, the dancing and the celebrations. It feels like we are welcoming Lord Muruga and walking with Him. That is why we want to be part of this journey,” she added.
Her husband, S. Suria Kumar, 30, said the significance of the location lay in its role as the starting point of the sacred journey.
“We came today because this is the place where Lord Muruga is brought out from inside the temple and placed onto the chariot. From this point onwards, everyone moves together towards Batu Caves, and it is so beautiful to watch,” he said.
