01 Feb 2007
Ranjeetha Pakiam and Marilyn Gerard
KUALA LUMPUR: After a 13-hour journey through the city centre, the chariot carrying the Hindu deity Lord Muruga arrived at the Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.
Thousands stood at the entrance of the temple to welcome the chariot, which marked the beginning of the Thaipusam festival.
The chariot left the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee at 12.30am yesterday in a grand procession which stopped at several temples along the way to Batu Caves in Gombak.
At 1.30pm, the chariot arrived and was greeted with chants of vel, vel from the excited crowd.
Despite the blazing afternoon sun, thousands of eager devotees jostled for a spot to get close to the chariot and receive the blessings from the priests.
A few people had already begun carrying the kavadis and paal kodum (milk pots) to avoid the huge crowds expected in the evening.
Among the crowd were tourists who had come to witness the largest Hindu festival in Malaysia.
Many were awed by the golden statue of Lord Muruga which stood 42.7 metres at the foot of the hill.
Most of them climbed up the 272 steps leading to the temple inside the magnificent limestone caves.
About 1.5 million visitors are expected to visit the Thaipusam festival this year.
Source: NST
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