Silver chariot arrives at Batu Caves

By P. Manurachna

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27: For the first time, Silver Chariot arrived at Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, Batu Caves, with a limited participation of 10 people, due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Welcoming Pooja for Lord Muruga on this auspicious day took 30 minutes in approximate before he was settled on his vaaganam (transporter), peacock at Batu Caves.

At its usual, devotees will have thaneer pathal (food&beverage) offerings, musics along the chariot’s journey and there will be coconut breaking at all stops of chariot for archanai purposes.

This time, it was all prohibited due to Covid-19.

Hundreds of devotees will walk accompanying the chariot for its 16-hours journey.

Carrying milk pots and kavadis as offering to Lord Muruga is extremely missed for this year.

A ritual from 1800s and 37 years of 7.3 metre height Silver Chariot procession witnessed it’s 38th year with virtual devotees. 16hours of journey at the minimum for chariot with usual prayers,offerings, music’s, devotees with milk pots, kavadis, had turn to be a virtual procession of nearly 3hours..

A day to be marked as to be very auspicious and special not only for Hindu but also for others including tourists. Covid 19 made a 360 degrees of change for the entire world but also to prayers.

A live telecast of chariot procession accompanied with music’s from Sri Maha Mariamman Devastanam, Kuala Lumpur until Sri Subramaniar Devastanam,Batu Caves, made the viewers to have a little relieve to witness the chariot as devotees used to walk along with chariot.

A live telecast on ‘We Love Batu Caves’ page made devotees to be thankful as prayers were made in virtual mode..

Chariot will begin it’s journey back to Sri Maha Mariamman temple on January 29, 2.30am.

An auspicious day to remember as Lord Muruga, received a holy spear from his mother, Dewi Parvathi to defeat a fiendish demon, Soorapadman and to bring back peace and prosperity to humankind. Devotees pray with vows for Lord to overcome obstacles in their life.