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Chetty PusamAn Indian Festive CelebrationThe Chetty Pusam marks the first of three days of Thaipusam in Penang. 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.
Early morning dancing devoteesWe 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The chariot procession makes strategic stops on the major towns. Devotees will gather together near their houses to offer these offering to Lord Muruga.
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 music and songs can be heard along the way. Indian devotional singers took turns to sing to the crowd delight.
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. Go to Top of Chetty Pusam Page
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