It was a beautiful bright night under a full moon as thousands of Hindus took part in a chariot procession in Teluk Intan, Perak on Saturday 9th May, 2009 held in conjunction with the Chithirai Pournami or Chitrapournami festival which is also known as "Mini Thaipusam" because it is celebrated on a smaller scale.
It was a religious festival held to commemorate the first full moon after the Tamil New Year which was celebrated on April 14, 2009 and is associated with penance and atonement and a day to repent by fulfilling vows.
This year, I was inspired to be there to feel the ambiance of the festival that has become a must see event for non Hindus and tourists.
Inside the Sri Maha Balatandayutapani Temple, temple officials preparing to lift the golden statue of Lord Muruga onto a sedan chair.
Inside the Sri Maha Balatandayutapani Temple, temple officials preparing to lift the golden statue of Lord Muruga onto a sedan chair.
Temple officials carrying Lord Muruga on a sedan chair.
An elaborate ceremony held inside the temple where the statue of Lord Muruga was carried circling around the grounds before leaving for the chariot procession.
Musicians playing traditional Indian musics in the lead group.
Large group of devotees following Lord Muruga being carried by temple officials on a sedan chair circling around the grounds inside the temple.
Lord Muruga being given a grand send-off in the temple for the chariot procession.
Lord Muruga leaving the main front door of the temple.
The brightly-lit chariot waiting for Lord Muruga outside the temple grounds.
The chariot procession will head off from the temple to the main streets in the town.
Temple officials carefully placing the statue of Lord Muruga onto the chariot.
The glittering gold leave statue of Lord Muruga is a site to behold.
The brightly-lit chariot outside the Sri Maha Balatandayutapani Temple in Jalan Bandar, Teluk Intan.
The chariot which was adorned with lights and flower garlands were pulled by two bulls.
Its a grand sight to see Lord Muruga on the chariot during the procession.
Devotees carrying trays with coconut, vibuthis (holy ashes) and flowers as offerings to Lord Muruga.
Devotees breaking coconuts on the streets where Lord Muruga will be passing. It is believe that a clean road signifies sincerity and purity of one's effort.
A specially made long pole was used to lift up the electric cable for the chariot to pass through. An incident happen many years ago when the top of the chariot hit an electric cable causing a blackout in the town. Since the incident, a specially-made long stick is now used to lift up the electric cables to avoid any problem.
The long poles that are used to lift up the electric and telephone cables for the chariot to pass through.
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) workers getting ready with the long poles.
Telekom Malaysia (TM) workers were also on duty to take care of the telecommunication cables.
Thousands of devotees thronged the streets of Teluk Intan during the chariot procession.
A jam-packed street opposite Hong Leong Bank at the intersection of Jalan Ah Cheong with Jalan Bandar.
FRU police personnel making their rounds to ensure safety and public order.
St John Ambulance members on duty: (From left) Lim Wai Kit, R.Moganadass, Ooi Shu Juang, Moy Kar Lai, Ng Tien Khoon, Tan Kean Eng and Ng Tian Shun, all from St John Ambulans Malaysia, Kawasan Selatan Perak, Teluk Intan.
An Indian stick dance entertaining the crowd of devotees.
Two dancers with their colourful costumes and masks dancing on the streets.
The musical troupe performing traditional Indian musics to the delights of the crowd.
Even the disabled like this man who was on a wheel-chair with his two full-time servants from India came waiting at Jalan Ah Cheong for the chariot to pass by so that he could offer prayer and get blessing from Lord Muruga.
K. Suppiah (in white shirt) and his family members came all the way from Simpang Empat near Teluk Intan to celebrate the festival.
A stall selling sambrani incense which is used in religious ceremonies. Its smoke creates a soothing atmosphere of calm serenity.
A unique way to collecting donations on the street.
You can have your hands drawn with Mehandi design at the stall here.
These two ladies attending a stall that provides Vakyam horoscope reading based on vedic astrology for a RM5 fee.
The fortuen teller using a parrot to pick out a card with someone's fortune inscribed on it.
The Sri Maha Balatandayutapani Temple in Jalan Bandar, Teluk Intan, Perak
RELA personnel on duty for crowd and traffic control.
A chariot procession carrying the statue of Lord Muruga was held in Teluk Intan town on Saturday night 9th May 2009 in conjunction with the annual Chithirai Pournami festival.
There was a real carnival atmosphere as thousands of Hindus converged at the Sri Maha Balatandayutapani Temple in Jalan Bandar. Many patronized the many make-shift stalls set-up on both side of Jalan Bandar and Jalan Ah Cheong selling a variety of stuffs.
The statue of Lord Muruga was carried in a sedan chair from the temple altar onto the chariot by temple committee members. The chariot which was adorned with lights and flower garlands and pulled by two bulls started its journey at about 8.30 pm from the Sri Maha Balatandayutapani Temple in Jalan Bandar and passed through Jalan Ah Cheong, Jalan Pasar and other main streets in the town before it return to the temple in the wee hours of the next day at 4.00 am.
Earlier in the day, devotees carried kavadi to mark the event and some shaved their heads as a form of penance and atonement.
