Lively Thaipusam celebrations this year

Prime Minister Najib also joined other communities at Batu Caves for the Thaipusam celebrations.

KUALA LUMPUR: Like in previous years, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today spent time together with the other communities in appreciating the uniqueness of the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves, here.

Clad in a cream kurta, an Indian traditional attire, Najib arrived at the the Batu Caves grounds, where thousands had thronged, at 10.15am.

He was received by MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam, Gerakan vice-president A Kohilan Pilay and Malaysia’s special ambassador to India and South Asia, S Samy Vellu.

Also there to welcome Najib were MIC vice-president M Saravanan and the party’s Central Working Committee member P Kamalanathan.

Since early morning, thousands of Hindus converged at Batu Caves where the Sri Subramaniar temple is located, to partake in the religious festival to express gratitude, fulfil a vow or do penance.

Among the sea of people were foreign tourists who watched with interest and captured snapshots of the colourful kavadi procession and other features of the festival.

Najib also visited the many stalls at the location and exchanged greetings with the Hindu devotees and visitors.

The prime minister was then taken to the top level of the temple building from where he waved to the huge crowd on the ground.

Najib also spent time discussing with the Indian community leaders and Batu Caves temple management on the government’s commitment to the country’s Hindu community.

The Thaipusam celebration this year is more special as 2014 is also Visit Malaysia Year, which was launched in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Najib in his special message in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration, said it was not only a religious festival but part of the main agenda in the country’s tourism calendar.

Every inch of Batu Caves was packed with people since early this morning in a show of a moderate but lively festive atmosphere.

The unique and colourful event has also attracted foreign tourists to witness the Hindu ritual up close.

Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindus worldwide during the month of ‘Thai’, which is the 10th month in the Tamil calendar, in dedication to Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Subramaniam.

Hindu devotees were seen carrying clay or brass pots filled with milk, which is regarded as holy, while they ascended the 272 steps up to the temple where they fulfilled their vows.

The operating hours of several public transport service providers including Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and RapidKL have been extended to make it easy for visitors to get to the celebration’s location.

-Bernama