Smaller-scale Thaipusam observance in Sabah
Published on: Wednesday, February 04, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: It may not be as big and boisterous as the famed Batu Caves festivity in Selangor but Hindus in Sabah marked Thaipusam just as colourfully, Tuesday. Close to 150 devotees and family members and friends converged at the Meruntum bay seafront opposite the Lok Kawi Army camp to prepare themselves to pay homage to Lord Murugan by carrying milk pots and bearing a kavadi (ornately decorated altar) to the Sri Subramaniar Temple at Lok Kawi.A devotee, Vasuthevan Damotharan 52, said devotees carried pots of milk as offerings to fulfill vows they have made to Lord Murugan for having blessed them.
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"Accompanied by their family members and friends, the devotees will walk from Meruntum to the temple in Lok Kawi barefoot," he said, adding this year longtime kavadi bearer Raju Sandhapani also undertook to carry the kavadi.As to why there was only one kavadi bearer this year, Vasuthevan said it could be because some devotees may have been transferred back to the peninsula or to other states or perhaps didn't make any vows that they would carry the kavadi this year.Another devotee P. Ponniah added that that devotees and the kavadi bearers will typically prepare themselves by fasting for 30 days or more beforehand. "The devotees will first purify themselves with turmeric water before carrying their offerings from the seafront over one kilometre while singing songs and chanting along the way to the temple."
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The occasion also attracted tourists and visitors. One of them who only gave her name as Cherry from Keningau came with her friends Lisa, Liya and Suzy to witness the event for themselves. "We are excited to be here to see the celebration for ourselves. It's interesting to see how Thaipusam is celebrated in the State," she said.
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Meanwhile in Tawau, about 500 devotees attended the celebration at the Sri Thirumurugan Alayam Temple off Jalan Utara here.Indian and Chinese devotees of all ages took part in the procession carrying milk pots and brightly decorated kavadis.The colourful event also attracted hundreds from all walks of life to witness the ceremony. Some of the devotees cited that the attendance for this year had decreased somewhat because the celebration fell on a work day.A Chinese among the devotees, Soon Lee Fong, 56, said this is the second year he was taking part. "I wish for God's forgiveness and for a good life ahead with more happiness along the year," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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