Najib visits Batu Caves for Thaipusam

The prime minister and his wife were met there by MIC president G Palanivel.

KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Tun Razak witnessed the Thaipusam celebrations by 1.6 million Hindus and foreign tourists at Batu Caves here today.

The Prime Minister and his wife Rosmah Mansor arrived at Batu Caves compound at 10.30am and were received by MIC leaders, including its president G Palanivel, local community leaders and Hindu religious heads.

Seen among the sea of Hindus were kavadi carriers and bare-footed devotees as well as those who were having their heads shaved in conjunction with the festival, which is an official event in the national tourism calendar.

Devotees thronged the Sri Subramaniyar Swamy temple there to fulfil their vows and to seek penance for their sins in conjunction with the festival.

Members of the public and foreign tourists also thronged the venue to join in the festivities.

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by Hindus around the world during the month of ‘Thai’ in the Tamil calendar to celebrate the birth of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

It is also to celebrate Lord Murugan being awarded the holy spear by his mother to destroy the evil power of Soorapadman as well as to restore the prosperity of mankind.

In Ipoh, more than 10,000 Hindu devotees including foreign tourists flooded Arul Subramaniar temple at Gunung Cheroh here since yesterday evening to celebrate the festival.

The occasion was filled with various religious activities including the colourful procession of Lord Murugan from Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Sungai Pari.

Perak deputy police chief A Paramasivam was among those present at the temple.

- BERNAMA