Hindu Sangam again cautions over Thaipusam day eclipse

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Hindu Sangam yesterday again cautioned Hindu temples against remaining open or performing rites during the hours of the lunar eclipse on Thaipusam Day on Jan 31, saying it clashed with Hindu belief.

MHS president Datuk RS Mohan Shan said Hindu communities all over the world had held on to this belief since time immemorial due to the negative impact of the eclipse on them.

“Usually, temples will not open during the eclipse and Hindus are also not encouraged to leave their houses for fear of the negative vibrations created during the phenomenon. Apart from that, pregnant women should also stay indoors and the people should not hurt animals or cut trees or branches and must abstain from food and drink as its impact may last for generations,” he said to Bernama here yesterday.

Mohan Shan was commenting on the announced decision of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam chairman Tan Sri R Nadarajah yesterday that religious ceremonies at the Sri Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves on Thaipusam Day on Jan 31 would proceed even during the period of the eclipse.

Mohan Shan said the lunar eclipse was expected to occur from 7.48pm to 11.11pm on Jan 31

“Devotees are advised to fulfill their vows or carry out other religious rites before 7.30pm or perform the rites after 11.30pm,” he said and added that the MHS would not stop any Hindu devotee from going to Batu Caves during the eclipse.

Mohan Shan said the Balathandayuthapani Temple in Georgetown, Penang, Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam Temple in Sungai Petani, Kedah, (two other important Thaipusam locations) and even the temples in Singapore and India would also close during the lunar eclipse.

“We have disseminated complete information on the eclipse and it is up to individuals to heed the advice or otherwise,” he said.

Nadarajah, at a media conference this evening, said the Hindu community need not feel uneasy about fulfilling vows or prayers during the eclipse on Thaipusam Day as special ‘remedy’ prayers would be held on the night of Jan 31 after the occurrence of the lunar eclipse.

“Most Hindus will not leave their houses and temples are normally closed during an eclipse but due to the large number of devotees fulfilling their vows on Thaipusam Day, we have decided to hold the special remedy prayers. —Bernama