It is on this day, according to some Hindu scriptures, that Goddess Parvati presented the holy vel, or spear, to Her Son, Lord Murugan (in other scriptures, the event took place at Skanda Shashti).
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Thai Pusam falls on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February) each year, when the moon moves through the zodiac period of Capricorn in the Indian calendar. Devotees of all ages climb the 272 steps chanting "Vel, Vel " and "Vetri Vel Murugan." The Deity here is famous for granting devotees' prayers for success in exams and business, healing and the conception of a long-desired baby. Many devotees have come early to avoid the crush on Thai Pusam day, when over a million people will assemble in this compound.
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At the base are additional temples, permanent exhibit halls and–during the festival–a mini-city of religious shops, stalls for various organizations, music stores, free feeding venues and even an amusement fair, complete with Ferris wheels and other entertainment. Behind it is the long, wide and steep staircase leading to a huge natural cave that houses a small temple to this beloved God. The intricately detailed concrete statue with a 40-foot deep foundation, stands dominantly at the base of a limestone cliff. Dedicated at last year's Thai Pusam, it has already gained international fame. As we approached the area, I was awestruck by the majestic 142-foot golden statue of Lord Murugan.
See URL at end of story to access a short video documentary produced by Hinduism Today to accompany this article.īatu caves was already swarming with devotees four days before Thai Pusam officially began. Carl Vadivel Belle of Australia, who participates each year by carrying a large kavadi. An key resource for this story was the unpublished thesis on the festival by Dr. He attended the festival and interviewed organizers, participants and prominent Hindus. Our correspondent, Rajiv Malik of Delhi, arrived in Malaysia on January 26, a week before the official beginning of Thai Pusam on February 1 and stayed on for one week afterward. Our story covers the celebrations at Batu Caves Murugan Temple outside Kuala Lumpur which was attended this year by an estimated 1.3 million people. The festival is observed with deep reverence by Tamil Hindus around the world, but in Malaysia, North Indians, Sikhs and Chinese Buddhists join in. More than half the population of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, turn out to honor the day when Lord Murugan received the holy vel, or spear of wisdom and power, from His Mother, Goddess Parvati.