Thaipusam Day...

For the length and breadth of this country and the farthest I've travelled, I can easily say without a tinge of hesitation that Thaipusam is only celebrated in all its grandeur in two towns; Penang and Sungei Patani. No where else had Thaipusam ever come near or draw in spirit against the likes of Penang and Kedah's Sungei Petani.

Ipoh, Seremban and Johor Baru are a far cry from what I've seen against the likes of the two northern towns.

However, Kuala Lumpur Batu Caves is a different story altogether. Batu Caves is commercial. It is not built for festivals like Thaipusam tho the commercial value it draws makes it a pinnacle ground for celebration. This is also the place for rubbing shoulders with the 'Datuk' and 'Tan Sris.' Pilgrims fulfil their vows with gaiety and pom-pom but I see it in a different light. There is a negative religious undertone to the Thaipusam celebrated in Batu Caves. Sorry for being acid-tounged but I stand my feet pinned to the ground with my opinions.

Batu Caves' commercialism is enriched with crowd and dignitaries. Sadly, and sometimes in shame, I don't see the religious aspect of it neither its sheer purpose. I don't see the 'Thaipusam' in it at all if I were to compare with its counterparts, Penang and Sungei Petani or even Ipoh. Ipoh for one has got something moving but is still a pale shadow compared with the two northern towns.

In Sungei Petani, Thaipusam Day is NOT a holiday. And yet the thronging pilgrims who come in thousands diffuse the day and make it look like a fiesta. Sungei Petani has got one of the most decorated ideas for kavadis ever and am not saying this to raise eyebrows or me being anywhere a staunch Hindu. I'm saying this merely out of my observation in comparison with the other states; mainly Batu Caves. Batu Cave kavadis are sheer lame.

Penang Thaipusam is in its own league altogether. The whole island celebrates including the Chinese. And the walk to the Waterfall Temple from Shiva temple is a 7 mile walk with the January sun scorching the roads. Kavadis need to trod, dance, walk and run for 7 miles to fulfil their vows and pay their penances. This is no joke when it is done in bare-foot trance. You don't come near that anywhere in other States. And I was told which I do believe, Lord Murugan actually resides in Penang's Waterfall temple. This is a testimony out of experiences. You need to be there to know and feel his divine presence period

Nevertheless, Indians do celebrate in droves be it in a minnow town or Batu Caves. The vows taken by pilgrims is sheer, at times mind blowing and the will and desire to wake the Pusam spirit is spell bounding. Well! After a long debate and shouting in silence, KL has been declared a public holiday, a day significant in reckoning.

And for those living in parts of the country where the minority Hindu population is viewed as irrelevant, I sure do hope someday they too will be given an opportunity to celebrate Lord Murugan's Birthday Bash. I like to believe it that way.

And for all those who're travelling to party with the Pusam; Happy Thaipusam.

" Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray "