After three years, Batu Caves traders sigh with glee for upcoming Thaipusam
BATU CAVES – The sky was cloudless; the sun was bright and the glaring light it radiated rendered the towering iconic statue of Lord Murugan ever the more golden; at high noon, the statue was almost blinding.
Like those present in the compound of the temple, P. Thavachelvan was sweating but despite the sweltering weather, she was smiling; cheerfully tending to customers frequenting her Indian snacks and sweets shop.
“After two years of MCO (movement control order), I am grateful that things are slowly becoming business as usual,” the 26-year-old entrepreneur told Sinar Daily.
“I hope we’ll get a lot of crowds this year. The past two years have been unkind for us traders here, in the temple,” added Thavachelvan, the third generation to take over the family business.
According to Thavachelvan, Thaipusam and Deepavali are the only festivals where traders like her – who permanently operates their shops there – can rake in more income than usual.
In Malaysia, Thaipusam is a national day. The Hindu festival is celebrated and observed on the day of the first full moon during Tamil month of Thai, which usually falls on late January or February.
This year, Thaipusam will be held on a Sunday on February 5.
“I am very happy that we Hindus get to properly celebrate it this year. None of those movement restrictions. I came all the way from Johor and is very much looking forward for it,” said B. Akshaykumar.
Because he arrived early, Akshaykumar decided to help his relatives, selling coconut water and sugar cane juice at the designated stall put up by the temple authorities.
“Business has been good so far. I hope every devotee who came to observe the festival to have all their prayers and wishes granted,” said the 20-year-old.
As with all festivals, Thaipusam was unable to be celebrated the first year Covid-19 hit Malaysia in 2020; in the subsequent two years however, salubrious greenlight was given albeit with stringent movement restrictions.
“I hope everyone who will be attending the celebration to still wear face masks. We want everyone to be safe,” said perfume seller S. Thilagam.
“As for us traders, we hope that we will be able to do good businesses. We want the public and devotees to come and support our small businesses,” she added.
During Thaipusam, devotees believe that worshiping lord Murugan every year in this way makes them physically and mentally healthy and helps clear them of karmic debts they may have incurred.
A Thaipusam pilgrimage may entail walking the route carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers whilst carrying kavadi are also common sight.
