The Chetty Pusam marks the first of three days of Thaipusam in Penang.
Watch how Chetty Pusam is being celebrated in Penang every year
and has been since their arrival in the late 19th century.
The Chettys are actually Chettiars of Little India. Most of the Chettiars of Penang are
merchant or business people and have been in business since the day their forefathers landed in Penang.
They are strict vegetarians. Their vegetarian food is one of the best in Penang. Thaipusam
procession starts in the early hours from the Chetty Veedu (house) and the procession will
make its way through major roads of Penang till it reaches Chettiar Temple in Waterfall Road.
Chariot of Lord Muruga
Early morning dancing devotees
We thought we were early rising up to be the first few to glimpse at Lord Muruga
ceremony but we were wrong as we saw the early morning revelers dancing away to the
loud music as we parked our car during the recent Chetty Pusam.
As we realized that the few roads would be packed later in the day,
we parked quite a distance away from the temple.
As we reached the Chetty Veedu (Chetty's house), we saw the beautiful
chariot parked in the front of the road ready for the procession.
Statue of Lord Muruga being carried out for the yearly Thaipusam procession
The chariot will stop along the way for devotees to offer their prayers to Lord Muruga.
The Chetty pusam is slightly unusual as all of the Chettys would carry peacock kavadis.
The Indians usually uses metal kavadis or couples sugar canes kavadis.
Usually the Chetty Pusam entourage will include the flag of victory, musicians and
trumpeters blowing to the glory and achievements of Lord Muruga.
The video may be slow to load, just bear with me and watch in awe as these man
dances and the peacock kavadis swaying to the beat of the trumpet and the drum oboe.
The significance of peacock to the Hindus is that Lord Muruga rides on a peacock (vehicle)
and when the peacock plumes into full blown, it displays a divine shape of Omkara.
Flag bearers of Thaipusam
Leading the procession, you get to see of
flag bearers and Chetty thrilling the crowd, dancing away. Followed by a coconut
cutter where for devotees wanting to pray, you can have your coconut cut open to
be use as trays for the holy ashes after you prayed.
The Nadaswaram team
The senior trumpeter has been performing for years.
Watch out for him as you can see him even in the journey to Waterfall Temple,
blowing away for hours. Encouraging the kavadis carriers with his trumpets.
I salute him for his devotion to his love to help devotees achieve their
spiritual goals. Well the goal is become devotees of Lord Muruga even for a
short while to achieve peace and tranquility.
Thousands of coconuts by side of road
The roads for the Lord will be cleanse with hundreds of coconuts.
According to the Indians, coconut water is the cleanest water for performing any form of cleansing.
Coconut has the cleanest water
Chinese, Indians, young, old, far and near will be there to help one another
to bash the coconut. All the three main races participate in ways to make this celebration a great success.
Some of my overseas friends made comments like seeing Malays policeman along
the roads. They were surprised to see the tolerance of each others race and
religions.
Let me help you, says the temple helpers
The chariot procession makes strategic stops on the major towns. Devotees will
gather together near their houses to offer these offering to Lord Muruga.
A smile after prayers
As the chariot passed, offerings with fruits,
incense are offered to the priest to help make the offerings and prayer. Children are lifted up to be blessed.
Devotional singers
Devotional music and songs can be heard along the way.
Indian devotional singers took turns to sing to the crowd delight.
Fulfilling vows by pushing the chariot
Devotees who vow to do penance pushing the chariot can be seen quietly fulfilling
their vows. I don't see them talking or laughing away. Some were chanting mantras as
they pushed the chariot. These are some of the Penang Heritage that is in dire
need to be preserved. Most of the traditional cultures is what makes Penang into
a heritage city recently.
A myth revolves around Lord Muruga eavesdropping into the conversation
between Lord Shiva and Parvati. Lord Shiva was rendering an important mantra
to Parvati and Lord Muruga listened to it by hiding. Parvati discovered that
Lord Muruga was eavesdropping and cursed him.
Muruga acknowledged his mistake and started a penance. Parvati was pleased
and appeared before him with Lord Shiva.
Thaipusam is believed to be the day in which Parvati appeared before Lord
Muruga.
The Masi Magam Float Festival is celebrated by thousand of Indian devotees
from all around the country.
It is believed that the floating chariot
festival is the only such festival in Malaysia and South East Asia whose
deity is pulled out to the sea by boats.