Malaysian Hindus celebrate festival under Covid curbs

HINDUS in Malaysia on Monday (17) observed the annual Thaipusam festival but through celebrations that were toned down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

During the celebrations, they carried offerings up hundreds of steps, AFP reported.

The festival witnesses Hindus, a sizeable minority in the multi-ethnic South-east Asian nation, express their devotion to Lord Murugan, who is particularly worshipped in southern India and among ethnic Tamil communities in South-east Asia.

Hundreds were seen heading to the Batu Caves temple complex outside Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, and walking barefoot up 272 multi-coloured steps to reach the site with milk pots to offer.

However, the celebrations this year were muted compared to the previous years because of the pandemic. Huge crowds throng the site the other years but the officials limited the numbers this year to reduce the risk of infections. ‘Kavadis’ – ornate metal structures that devotees affix to their bodies with sharp metal spikes – were also banned in 2022.

Malaysia has witnessed more than two million cases pf Covid-19 with nearly 32,000 deaths.

Among the devotees too, there was an air of caution this time.

Krishnan Karuppan, for example, told AFP that while he arrived at the temple before dawn, many people were afraid.

“My own children didn't come -- they're all at home,” he said.

Another worshipper at the temple, Ariyenthiran T Somasundram, added that “to be on the safe side, it is better” to limit numbers. He, however, was sad that the celebration was restricted.

“I’m really sad... because the crowd of millions of people are not here,” he said.

Local media reported that the authorities were restricting attendance at the temple to several thousand over Thaipusam, which officially falls on Tuesday (18).

Malaysia’s population is dominated by ethnic Malay Muslims but ethnic Indians, many of whom are Hindus, also form a part of it.