Malaysian Indian Forum is shocked with some photographs of Thaipusam and complains received from the festival. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival.
The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. According to the true story of Thaipusam it is more of devotion and love towards Lord Muruga. In all Hindu scriptures surrendering to the lord was well emphasized but in recent times the celebration of spiritual festivals has been turned to fun fair.
A senior member of our forum said that there are no systems in place at Batu Caves.
During the recent Thaipusam celebration there, garbage was thrown everywhere and the atmosphere did not reflect that of a holy place. The festival had been turned to be a fun fair without the real motive of the Thaipusam.
Since it is a holy festival, we are suggesting the Hindu Sangam and the Maha Mariamman temple authorities to make traditional dresses as compulsory for devotees. Men should wear dhoti or least kurta and for women, saree or chudithar should be the dress code.
During this Thaipusam, we were extremely shocked with some kavadis which had Manchester United football club logo and with DAP logo. It is high time to control superstitious worship and back to the real Thaipusam. Many of our members are asking for immediate action.
Many also observed that the ‘Why this kolavery-di’ Tamil song was widely used for kavadi dance. The policemen even stopped devotees (especially kids and women) who were holding Pal Kudam from entering the main gates and diverted them through the exit gate as the main gate was blocked for Prime Minister Najib’s visit. The policemen should have arranged for alternate routes for devotes before blocking them and should have managed the crowd better.
I personally have seen the same festival in the same shape 30 years ago and now in 2012, we are seeing the same.
It is high time for the authorities to intervene and take stern action in future to make this festival showcasing our true Tamil culture and customs.
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