Thangam blessing her great-grandson P. Seedharn, six, by putting holy ash on his forehead, helped by son M. Supramaniam Marimuthu. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Octogenarian and family continue tradition during chariot parade at Ipoh Lane temple
FOR the past 65 years, M. Thangam has been seeking blessings for her family at the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple on Ipoh Lane in Jelutong, Penang, during the Navarathiri festival.
This year, four generations of her family came to the temple for the highlight of the festival which was the chariot procession.
Thangam, 85, who has six children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, said she and her family observe a strict vegetarian diet during Navarathiri.
“The goddess (temple deity) has blessed me with a wonderful family.
“Each year, I pray to her for my family’s good health, happiness, success and prosperity and she has never failed me,” said Thangam who also lives in Ipoh Lane.
Her daughter-in-law K. Gandhimathy, 65, said she had been attending the celebrations at the temple since she married into the family 44 years ago.
“I also brought my children to the temple and I always seek blessings for my family’s well- being and success.”
Gandhimathy’s son S. Prem Kumar, 43, who is a temple committee member, said he had been attending the festival at the temple since he was a toddler.
“I used to follow my mother and grandmother to the temple and always got excited about the prayers and programmes during the nine days of the festival.
Young devotees seen at the chariot procession that started in the evening.
“Now my two sons also attend the celebration and I have taught them the significance of the festival,” said Prem, an engineer.
His wife V. Sumathi, 42, also an engineer and who is from Kuala Lumpur, started following her husband to the festival 13 years ago when they got married.
“All these years, I have never attended Navarathiri at any other temple.
“There is a special vibe here and each time I face challenges, I pray to the goddess with all my heart and soon enough, I get an answer or solution,” said Sumathi who was there with her sons P. Shakthie, 12, and P. Sidharth, nine.
Hundreds of devotees attended the chariot procession, which started at 6pm on Oct 25, passing through several roads before returning to the temple at about 1am the next day.
Also present was Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong.
This year, Navarathiri started on Oct 15. During the festival, Hindus worship three goddesses over nine days.
They are Durga (goddess of bravery), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Saraswathi (goddess of knowledge).
The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
On this day, Durga is said to have defeated the evil Mahishasura (a buffalo-head demon) and brought relief to the people.
There was also an oonjal ceremony on Oct 27, when the temple deity was placed on a swing and devotional “lullabies” sung to her.
