It was a festival in a nearby temple. It is a Hindu one being celebrated in Malaysia. The merchants from India came to Malaysia a century and half ago to trade and do business. They settled in various places in the Malayan Peninsula and also in Singapore. They were known as Chetty. As the tradition goes, these Chetty was not allowed to bring their families to this alien land, for the community ostracised the women folk who crossed the seas. The men along came at a time when there wee no aeroplanes. They sailed for a month Brought with them money and the idols of the Gods they worshipped. The Chetty were particularly fond of Lord Muruga, who they affectionately called as Thandayathapani. This God was an unmarried one, a significance to the way Chettys lived in the Malayan peninsula
These Chetty set up shops in the busiest thoroughfare, where markets, and local offices functions. they formed themselves into groups and settled in buildings close to each other. They feared their life and wanted to live in a secure place. The business of trading brought them profit as they were just in their pricing, not very greedy.The business thrived and they made a lot of money. The locals wanted money for their business. They borrowed from these chetty who let them out for a nominal interest. Thus, the Chetty entered into the banking sector.
The Chetty now with money in hand wanted to build temples in the places where they stayed. They got the permission from the local authorities and with the money they had saved built the temples in 18 places in the whole of Malaysia. They contributed liberally to the upkeep of the temple, never took any money from outsiders or Government.
The chetty wanted to meet each other. of the community. To facilitate this, they initiated the festivals on auspicious days of every month. That being the most important is the Thaipossasm celebrated in the month of January or early February.The other months too had auspicious dates and each one temple was associated with the days when the celebrations were held.
The month of Chitra (mid-April -mid-May) has a favourite day the Chitra pournami when the moon is at the full crescent. This day is the most favourite of Lord Muruga and this small town Teluk Intan in Perak goes haywire during this day. The Hindus gather in thousands and offer prayers to God.They come in different costumes, take kavadis, pal kudams, and revel and enjoy the whole week. It is an experience in itself.
The quiet little town becomes noisy once a year.
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These Chetty set up shops in the busiest thoroughfare, where markets, and local offices functions. they formed themselves into groups and settled in buildings close to each other. They feared their life and wanted to live in a secure place. The business of trading brought them profit as they were just in their pricing, not very greedy.The business thrived and they made a lot of money. The locals wanted money for their business. They borrowed from these chetty who let them out for a nominal interest. Thus, the Chetty entered into the banking sector.
The Chetty now with money in hand wanted to build temples in the places where they stayed. They got the permission from the local authorities and with the money they had saved built the temples in 18 places in the whole of Malaysia. They contributed liberally to the upkeep of the temple, never took any money from outsiders or Government.
The chetty wanted to meet each other. of the community. To facilitate this, they initiated the festivals on auspicious days of every month. That being the most important is the Thaipossasm celebrated in the month of January or early February.The other months too had auspicious dates and each one temple was associated with the days when the celebrations were held.
The month of Chitra (mid-April -mid-May) has a favourite day the Chitra pournami when the moon is at the full crescent. This day is the most favourite of Lord Muruga and this small town Teluk Intan in Perak goes haywire during this day. The Hindus gather in thousands and offer prayers to God.They come in different costumes, take kavadis, pal kudams, and revel and enjoy the whole week. It is an experience in itself.
The quiet little town becomes noisy once a year.
..... During this celebration , the plantations in and around Teluk Intan give the employees a holiday of about 3 or 4 days to attend the festival .. The town of Teluk Intan is crowded during this time ..
ReplyDeleteStalls are put up on road sides not far from the Temple grounds .. An opportunity for visitors to do shopping and business people to make some money ..
The ladies come dressed in their colourful traditional clothings ..