Thaipusam 2011

Thaipusam this year was on January 20.  I thought that I should visit the Batu Caves to share some of the photos here.

The crowd was already there and the people were inching their way both ways on the stairway.

A large screen was hanging so that the people could have a better view of the happenings there.

This is only my 2nd time at the Caves and I could recognize some of the devotees from last year fulfilling their vows again this year. 

With the kind of weather we have here, it's a good idea to have devotees well hydrated.

This lady was sitting there seemingly oblivious to the crowd.  At places like this, one is never sure if the person is fulfilling their vows or just plain loony.

Among the many young devotees fulfilling their vows.

While most of the children were carrying milk kavadis, this young man had taken a bigger challenge.

I overheard this young devotee asking his father to attach the stalk of neem leaves to his pot of milk.  I think the leaves were given to him along the way, by another devotee.

I used to belief that the devotees go into a sort of a trance like state to enable them to carry their kavadis...

... but seeing how conscious the devotees are during the whole process, I now think that it is a question of 'mind over matter'.   The person preparing the devotee also needs to be experienced in what they are doing.


Having said that, I need to add that the energy, exuberance, music and chants that take place there can cause some people to get into a frenzy, or enter into a trance, and become unconscious of their surroundings as I witnessed happening to the young lady below:

After awhile her friend managed to bring her back to consciousness, but both she and friend appeared extremely exhausted after that.

As always, crowds provide an opportunity for any enterprising person to make some money.

This shows that photographers can create their own fun wherever they go.

Sometimes I wonder if clowns have a place at a religious event, but then again, who am I to judge?

These people know their target audience.

"Cleanliness is next to Godliness," they often say, but even a religious function such as this generates so much litter.  Hindus are not alone in this.  Muslims, Christians, Buddhists in fact any religious function where crowds gather generates large quantities of litter, what more non-religious ones.

Maybe this is a blessing as now we have a common issue to discuss in any inter-faith forum, and it does not involve any 'fundamental doctrine' issues which could become very sensitive. 

Thaipusam (Part 5 - Kavadi)

Its time for me to share some photos of kavadis.  Before that I like to share what I picked up from www.hindu-blog.com about the legend.
 

The popular legend behind taking kavadi is associated with Idumban and Muruga. 

Idumban was a highly devoted student of Sage Agasthya. One day Sage Agasthya asked Idumban to bring two hills occupied by Lord Muruga. The two hills were Shivagiri and Shakthi giri. As a trial Idumban first lifted them up and both the mountains came up easily. Satisfied with his effort he kept them back and started preparing to take them to his Guru Agasthya.

Now, Lord Muruga was watching all this from a distance. He decided to test Idumban’s determination as well as his devotion for his master. Lord Muruga took the shape of a small child and stood atop a hill. 

Idumban tried to pick up the hill but was unable to do. He kept on trying in vain and saw a child atop the hill. He asked the child to get down but the child stood his ground. The child did not move out after repeated requests and this enraged Idumban. He lost his patience and attacked the child but to his amazement all his warrior qualities could not move the child and instead he got hurt in the process.

Now, Idumban gained his composure and looked at the boy and suddenly realized who the child really was and folded his arms in reverence. Soon, Lord Muruga appeared before him and was pleased with his determination and devotion and appointed him as his guard. Lord Muruga declared that people who carry Kavadi, which symbolizes the hills of burden taken by Idumban, will be blessed. The Kavadi symbolizes the two hills that Idumban carried and people who carry Kavadi are given preference in Murugan temples.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The above photos were taken along the road leading to the temple entrance.  I did not follow the devotees up the stairs to the cave temple.

According to hindu-blog.com the piercing of the tongue or cheeks with a small vel (spear) is to prevent talking thereby allowing the devotee to contemplate on God.  The elaborate piercing we see now days, although with no real basis in Hinduism, is because of the belief that the 'heavier' the burden, the more penitent the devotee appears before God.

     

Thaipusam (Part 4 - Taking a break)

I was at the Batu Caves for only a few hours on that Saturday morning.  Many had come much earlier and stayed on for much longer.  The following are some shots of those taking a break. 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

By now some of you may be wondering what is Thaipusam without any Kavadis.  I'll have them in my next post.