“Vel, vel, ” will echo the streets and I would like to join Malaysians, especially those of Hindu faith, to celebrate in the three-day Thaipusam Festival starting today (Jan 29).

This is an important festival in Malaysia which has drawn thousands of people to pay homage to Lord Murugan in the various Hindu temples, notably at Batu Caves and the Penang Waterfall Road Temple.

This is a time of religious tolerance, unity and harmony amongst the people. We must always treasure these values.

I have been participating in the ceremony for many years and noticed the number of devotees has been increasing tremendously each year.

The festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Murugan (also known as Lord Subramaniam) and Hindus believe that sins can be cleansed during Thaipusam. It commemorates the birthday of Lord Murugan, the younger son of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. It is also the occasion when Parvati gave Lord Murugan a vel (spear), so that he could vanquish the evil demon Soorpadman.

by Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of National Unity and Performance Management