ID :
44658
Sat, 02/07/2009 - 17:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/44658
The shortlink copeid
MORE THAN 10,000 HINDU DEVOTEES FULFILL VOWS
PENANG (Malaysia), Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Hindu devotees began fulfilling their vows by breaking coconuts as they walked the 10km stretch in the Lord Murugan procession from the Kovil Veedum temple to the Nattukottai Chettiar temple here Saturday.
The procession made a stop at every "Thanir Panthal" stalls erected along
the way to allow the devotees to conduct the coconut smashing ritual.
Some members of the public, including tourists, also joined in by breaking
some coconuts.
A.Nadason, 42, who was with his family, said breaking the coconuts was a
tradition practised by his family to symbolise their gratitude for the success
they had achieved, as well as to make new vows.
"My family and I will make our vows and pray for our prosperity and good
health, success in our business, education and work before doing the coconut
breaking ritual," said the trader from Kedah.
An Australian tourist, Mark Joseph, 35, who was among the crowd of about
10,000 people in the procession, said it was his first experience in such a
situation.
"It was surprising to see them smashing the coconuts and then clean the
areas of the shells so fast," he added.
Joseph, an engineer, is looking forward to witness the highlight of the
Thaipusam celebration at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani located on a hill in
this northern state.
Meanwhile, a Penang Municipal Council spokesman said about 20 tonnes of
smashed coconuts were cleared by the municipal council workers during the
procession.
On Sunday, the Hindu devotees will carry various types of colourful kavadi
(mini chariots) by walking up the flight of 276 stairs to the Arulmigu
Balathandayuthabani temple to seek the blessings of Lord Murugan.
On the third day, the statue of Lord Murugan will be brought back in a
procession from the Nattukottaio Chettiat temple to the Kovil Veedum temple.
Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindus on the full moon day in the Thai month of
the Tamil calendar, which is between January and early February.
The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest
son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel
(lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
-- BERNAMA
The procession made a stop at every "Thanir Panthal" stalls erected along
the way to allow the devotees to conduct the coconut smashing ritual.
Some members of the public, including tourists, also joined in by breaking
some coconuts.
A.Nadason, 42, who was with his family, said breaking the coconuts was a
tradition practised by his family to symbolise their gratitude for the success
they had achieved, as well as to make new vows.
"My family and I will make our vows and pray for our prosperity and good
health, success in our business, education and work before doing the coconut
breaking ritual," said the trader from Kedah.
An Australian tourist, Mark Joseph, 35, who was among the crowd of about
10,000 people in the procession, said it was his first experience in such a
situation.
"It was surprising to see them smashing the coconuts and then clean the
areas of the shells so fast," he added.
Joseph, an engineer, is looking forward to witness the highlight of the
Thaipusam celebration at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani located on a hill in
this northern state.
Meanwhile, a Penang Municipal Council spokesman said about 20 tonnes of
smashed coconuts were cleared by the municipal council workers during the
procession.
On Sunday, the Hindu devotees will carry various types of colourful kavadi
(mini chariots) by walking up the flight of 276 stairs to the Arulmigu
Balathandayuthabani temple to seek the blessings of Lord Murugan.
On the third day, the statue of Lord Murugan will be brought back in a
procession from the Nattukottaio Chettiat temple to the Kovil Veedum temple.
Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindus on the full moon day in the Thai month of
the Tamil calendar, which is between January and early February.
The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest
son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel
(lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
-- BERNAMA
