Royals join in Thaipusam festivities
Over one million devotees gather at temples nationwide every year to celebrate Thaipusam, which is one of the biggest festivals for the Hindu community.
In the weeks leading up to the occasion, devotees prepare themselves by cleansing their bodies through fasting and abstinence.
On the day itself, devotees carry kavadi and paal kudam (milk pots) to give thanks and pay penance to Lord Murugan.
In Malaysia, the Thaipusam festival is celebrated on a massive scale in Batu Caves, Selangor, but other temples around the country also draw huge crowds.
In Johor, the main celebration usually takes place in the heart of town, where scores of devotees participate in a 2km-long procession from the Arulmigu rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple in Jalan Ungku Puan to the Arulmigu Thandayuthapani Temple in Jalan Kuil.
For the past three years, the Thaipusam celebration has taken on a deeper meaning for Johoreans as the Johor royal family has been joining in the festivities.
Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar made history in 2016 as the first Johor Sultan to grace a Thaipusam celebration with his presence in the small town of renggam.
This year, the ruler touched the hearts of his subjects when he assured them that he would be attending the celebration despite a hand injury.
In a post uploaded on his official Facebook page just two days before Thaipusam, His Majesty, who enjoys cooking, explained that he had suffered severe burns on his right hand while preparing a meal for his sons at the Istana Besar in Johor.
“My hand was quite badly burnt while I was cooking. This means that I will not be able to shake hands with a lot of people. And it is rude to greet people with my left hand. I hope everyone will understand this.
“But I will still attend the Thaipusam festival on Jan 31 because I do not wish to disappoint my people,” he was quoted as saying by the royal Press Office.
Netizens, especially the Indian community, were quick to express their sadness over the mishap and their gratitude that His Majesty was still willing to join in the festivities.
Among them was Yogesh raja ram, who commented that His Majesty’s presence was more than enough.
Another netizen, ranaith A. Simon, wrote: “Get well soon Your Majesty. Please ensure your hand is protected from infections. Thank you for taking the trouble to explain.”
Jeremy Lim commented: “Never have I come across such a noble Tuanku who shared his pain. The Johor rakyat will love him more beyond words! Tuanku you are great ... beyond comparison! Daulat Tuanku!”
The ruler showed how important his subjects and the festivities were to him by turning up at the state-level celebrations held at the 88-year-old Sri Subramaniar Temple.
Accompanied by his son, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, scores of people welcomed the royals with a sea of state flags.
During the event, Sultan Ibrahim showed his trademark compassion as he walked down from the main stage to greet the temple’s founder v. Achutan, who was unable to walk due to old age, before presenting him with a velvet shawl, a symbolic Hindu gesture.
Last year, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim represented his father and made his first-ever appearance at the state-level Thaipusam celebration at the Sri Subramaniam Paribalana Saba Temple in Masai.
The crown prince, who was accompanied by his consort Che Puan Khaleeda Bustamam and their daughter Tunku Kalsom Aminah Sofiah, shook hands and chatted with some of the 15,000strong crowd that had gathered.