GEORGE TOWN: Standing with her family at the Ottrumai Vel Arathanai (Sacred Vel Unity Worship for Education) 2026 prayer event here, S. Deva Nanthini relived a tradition she first experienced as a child.
The 43-year-old said returning to offer prayers at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (also known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple) as a parent was especially meaningful.
“It was a much simpler event back in those days. The bigger celebration was usually held at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.
“Now, more take part in what has become a special occasion for parents and students to pray together,” said the lecturer when met at the temple on Sunday.
The special prayers saw devotees make their way up the Hilltop Temple accompanying a 1.22m-tall vel (sacred spear in Hinduism) for prayers to seek Lord Murugan’s blessings before the Kalvi Yathirai on Sunday.
Kalvi Yathirai is an annual Tamil-focused educational pilgrimage designed to promote academic excellence among Indian students.
Deva Nanthini, who came from Kulim with her husband and two sons, said it was extra special to have her family with her.
“My sons are in primary and secondary school, and we came to pray for them to do well.”
K. Sivasanggara, 10, and K. Prathyangira, eight, were among those who helped carry the vel up the temple’s 513 steps.
“I want to do well in school and hope to score As in Mathematics, Science, English and Tamil. This is my first time participating in an event like this.
“We also had a motivational talk. It was nice to make the climb with other children,” said the older boy.
The Ottrumai Vel Arathanai 2026 was organised by the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), Malaysia Hindu Sangam Penang State Council and the Waterfall Hilltop Temple.
SMC co-director Dr J. Sumathi said the event was to foster unity through education and bring people together.
She said six vel were carried simultaneously yesterday at Murugan temples in Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor, adding that all six vel will then be brought to the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves for the coming Kalvi Yathirai this weekend.
“In previous years, the vel was only taken to Batu Caves with prayers held here. This year, we decided to organise a larger celebration here centred around the vel,” she said.
