Devotees gathering at Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street, Penang, for the start of the 10km chariot procession on the last day of Navarathiri festival.
THAI tourists Nattakan Suwanpahu Ponne, 40, and her sister Pornthiparat Phoyen, 45, were seen deep in prayer at the chariot procession bearing the statue of goddess Durga at Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Queen Street, Penang.
The event marked the end of the nine-day Navarathiri festival.
Nattakan said they were in Penang on holiday when they found out about the procession.
“We are Buddhists but we also pray to Hindu deities and observe the Navarathiri festival back home,” she said.
A temple priest representing the ‘goddess’ shooting several blunt arrows into the air, symbolising victory of good over evil;
Pornthiparat said, “We have been on a vegetarian diet for nine days.
“It is like a blessing for us as we get to see the procession and pray for blessings.”
The sisters said it was their first time joining the procession.
“The ‘goddess’ looks so beautiful in all her finery and jewellery.
“We are so happy and blessed. We pray for good health and hope to come back for this procession next year too,” said Nattakan, who aimed to follow the procession to the end.
Nattakan (left) and Pornthiparat offering prayers at Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
For medical students R. Kavizha and K. Kiranmala, both 23, from Selangor, it was also the first time that they witnessed the procession.
“We are studying in Penang and when we Googled the Navarathiri festival, we learned about the chariot procession.
“We are happy to be able to attend this ceremony here for the first time and we asked for blessing to pass our exams,” said Kavizha, who has been observing the festival since she was 11 years old.
Kiranmala, who has been following the Navarathiri festival since she was 13, said the procession as well-organised.
Devotee Shela Vasudevan, 53, her husband and their three sons have been observing a strict vegetarian diet during the festival every year.
“I have been praying to the ‘goddess’ since my childhood and started following the procession when I got married in 1993.
Devotees trying to catch an arrow that fell in their midst during the ceremony at the Esplanade in George Town, Penang. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
“I have never missed the procession except during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Shela.
Hundreds of devotees attended the chariot procession on the 10th day (the festival’s final day), referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
Temple chairman R. Arasu said the 10km procession started at 7.30pm from the temple on Queen Street, passing through several roads before ending where it began at 2am the next day.
The festival’s highlight was the vadham (arrow shooting) ceremony re-enacting the act of the “goddess” in defeating the evil Mahishasura (a buffalo- headed demon) which brings relief to the people.
During this ceremony which took place at the Esplanade, a temple priest representing the “goddess” shot several arrows from the chariot into the air, symbolising the victory of good over evil.
Devotees at the procession were seen trying to catch the arrows that fell in their midst.
This year’s Navarathiri festival started on Oct 3.
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).
Arasu said 50 devotees carried milk pots on the final day from Muniswarar Temple on Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah to the Queen Street temple.
There were also several other ceremonies held such as the poochudi vila (flower blessing) ceremony on Oct 13.
On Oct 14, the pon unjal (swing) event saw the “goddess” placed on a swing while devotional “lullabies” were sung.
