Wednesday, 08 February 2012
-
Chinese devotees attract curious onlookers
Wednesday February 8, 2012
Chinese devotees attract curious onlookers
GEORGE TOWN: With small milk pots hooked to their bodies and spears thrust through their cheeks, a group of about 30 Chinese devotees, mostly businessmen, walked barefoot in the city.
They also had hooks on their backs which were pulled by another person.
Not left out: A group of Chinese men joining the Thaipusam festivities at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple in George Town. The men began their four-hour journey from a temple in Jalan Timah at 6am to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple in Waterfall Road for the annual Thaipusam celebration, piquing the curious attention of many passers-by.
Group member Peter Yeoh Chun Siang, 25, who is taking the vow for a second time, said he had prayed for more business opportunities.
“It is merrier to complete the religious obligation with a group of friends,” he added.
Asked about the experience, Yeoh said climbing the steps at the hilltop temple during Thaipusam was rather challenging.
Katie O'Donnell, 18, from Scotland, said seeing the Thaipusam celebrations on her own was an eye-opener.
“I was told that Malaysia is a colourful and fascinating country with multi-cultural events,” said the first-time visitor to Penang.
In SUNGAI PETANI, Kedah MIC chairman S. Ananthan claimed that the state had failed to fulfil its 2008 general election promise to declare Thaipusam a state holiday.
He added that the promise was made by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak during a programme that was also attended by Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishnan.
Three years had passed and Pakatan Rakyat has not fulfilled that promise, he said.
“They should not make a promise that they cannot keep,” he said during the Thaipusam celebration at the Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam temple in Jalan Kuala Ketil.
When contacted, Azizan said the state authorities could not add Thaipusam as one of the state public holidays as Kedah has filled up its quota given by the Public Services Department.
“We found that there were some technical aspects that we could not avoid.
“However, Kedah observes other days such as Awal Ramadan (Beginning of Ramadan) as a state holiday, which is not celebrated by other states,” he added.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/8/nation/10696237&sec=nation
-
recommend
- recs 0
-
email
- sent 0
- like
Post a Comment