Frontiers is One!
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Applying Science into Our Daily Lives
How do we apply scientific formulas or theories into our daily lives? According to Associate Professor Dr Hon Wei Min, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at UCSI University,
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happenings
Kuala Lumpur International Dragon Boat Festival
By Edrea Sun Since its inception many hundred years ago, the dragon boat race had traditionally drawn huge crowds in the thousands comprising rowers, supporters, foreign tourists, curious onlookers and locals alike. This time around the festival has come early and was held at the Kepong Metropolitan Lake Garden, the first ever water activity held
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Leisure & Lifestyle
Nocturne:Five Stories of Music and Nightfall
By Khoo Kok Kian Nocturne is derived from the French word, Noctunal and from Latin, Nocturnus. People usually interpret it as a music piece which is inspired by night. A very famous classical music piece by Frederic Chopin was also named based on this word. Kazuo Ishiguro, a prominent author, who is also penned The
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Talk To Us
By Conrad Edmund Bateman Mitch Albom once said that, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” In conjunction with a yearlong celebration of UCSI University’s Silver Jubilee, the
"Light UP Lives Charity"
Thaipusam: A Celebration of Good over Evil
Mention Thaipusam and instantly my mind conjures up images of huge crowds of Hindu devotees at Batu Caves, colourful kavadis, body piercings, shaven heads, and people balancing milk pots, also known as the ‘palkudam’, on top of their heads, climbing the 272 steps up to the caves.
Devotees carrying the 'palkudam' on their heads
The real meaning of Thaipusam is not a show of bravery by outdoing others by having the most body piercings or carrying the most attractive kavadi. It is instead a celebration to commemorate the victory of Lord Muruga over the demon army.
When I was much younger, I used to associate Thaipusam with Thailand, as they share the first syllable, ‘Thai’. How naive I was at that time. Through observations in the papers and the shared experiences of Hindu classmates in school, I slowly and gradually came to know more about the Thaipusam festival.
It was from my Indian friends that I learnt that the Thaipusam festival is named as such because it is observed on the Pusam star in the Tamil calendar month of ‘Thai’, which falls either on January or February each year. I was relieved that I didn’t reveal my foolishness in front of them, because then I would definitely be the laughing stock of my class.
My Hindu friends in school also used to have a strict vegetarian diet for 48 days before performing their vows to cleanse themselves. I honestly salute their efforts. If I were them, I would never have gotten past the first week itself!
The rituals that take place on Thaipusam day itself are complex and show the faithfulness of the devotees to perform their vows. They also have to endure a huge crowd while balancing the milk pot or kavadis, and yet they still made it all the way to the top of Batu Caves.
A kavadi bearer
This year on the 30th of January, the spotlight was once again on the masses of devotees at Batu Caves. About 1 million devotees and tourists thronged the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves, despite the hot and humid weather to fulfil their vows.
I hope that Malaysians from all walks of life will try to understand the significance of Thaipusam, and at the same time learn more about this celebration as we live in a very multi-cultural country. And every year more and more people from all over the world join in this religious festive as proof of its popularity.
