Thaipusam is a Hindu Festival celebrated in January or February (it falls on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai when the astrological star, Pusam, reigns). On this day, Goddess Parvathi gave her son Murugan the invincible vel (lance) to vanquish the evil asura (demons). Thus Thaipusam is a commemoration of the triumph of good over evil.This year, about a million people converged on Malaysia's Batu Caves to observe the rites, and I was one of them. Most of the devotees had come to give thanks for blessings received. Many had asked for something in particular -- a child or the health of a family member, for example -- and had vowed to perform one of the Thaipusam devotions such as wearing a vel, bearing a kavadi (literally, "burden," such as a pitcher or jug) or carrying a milk pot offering up the 276 steps to the cave temple. Couples who had recently been blessed with a baby carried the infant in a saffron-colored sarong slung between sugarcane poles. As part of the ritual, some devotees had shaved their heads and those of their children, brought offerings of fruit and milk and bathed in the nearby Batu River. (photo by nash)
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has announced that the Government has declared Thaipusam a public holiday for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. This year’s Thaipusam falls on Wednesday (Jan 23).
Currently, Thaipusam is a public holiday in Negri Sembilan, Perak, Penang, Johor and Selangor.
PM mulls over holiday for Thaipusam
Lembu Punya Susu Sapi Dapat Nama
Malaysian Hindu Sangam president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said the Hindus here are definitely happy as the organisation had been appealing for over 20 years for Thaipusam to be declared a holiday for the Federal Territory.
Wonder how long MIC being asking for it. Thanks to Hindraf Rally, the wish is granted in 2008! Of course, having an election around the corner plays a role too.
Worst is NST who attributed the success to MIC (Headline screams:Holiday for KL, Putrajaya thanks to MIC's efforts). In Malay, there is a proverb -"lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama." (the cow's milk, but buffalo gets name).The news came out early when PM hinted that cabinet will consider the proposal to declare Thaipusam as public holiday, when he attended the Ponggal Festival celebration at Bukit Bintang. It became reality when he announced it on Sunday evening.
Hindraf 5 to begin hunger strike on Monday
Five ethnic Indian Malaysian activists will go on hunger strike to protest against being detained without trial after organising anti-discrimination protests, their lawyer said Friday.
Complaints about conditions in Kamunting detention camp
(source:Raajarox.com)
