01/02/2026

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday FEB 1, 2026

Thaipusam steadfast as pillar of Hindu worship

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

For nearly three decades, Balasubramaniam Batumalai, 47, founder of Bala Kavadi Services, has dedicated his life to crafting kavadis and guiding devotees through one of the most demanding acts of devotion on the Hindu calendar. His journey began at just 17, sparked by fascination rather than faith. “I didn’t even know what kavadi really was back then, and I had never carried one myself. I just saw devotees carrying it during Thaipusam and felt drawn to it,” he told theSun . In 1996, while in the final semester of his vocational college studies in mechanical engineering, Balasubramaniam decided to try building a kavadi on his own. At the time, kavadis were traditionally made from bamboo and rattan, a painstaking process that required skill and long hours of manual labour. “People didn’t trust me,” he recounted. “Nobody wanted to rent from me. Nobody believed I could do it properly.” Determined to prove himself, he did what few were willing to do – he carried his own kavadi up the PETALING JAYA: Thaipusam remains one of the most important religious festivals for the Hindu community in Malaysia, symbolising devotion, discipline and the enduring triumph of good over evil, according to Malaysia Hindu Sangam honorary general secretary Vinayagamurthi Subramaniam. He said the annual festival, observed by Tamil Hindus worldwide, commemorates the day Goddess Parvati bestowed the divine spear, or vel , upon her son Lord Murugan, empowering him to defeat the demon Surapadman. “Spiritually, Thaipusam represents the victory of wisdom over ignorance and unwavering faith over adversity,” he said. “In Malaysia, especially at Batu Caves, it has evolved into a powerful expression of devotion and gratitude that draws not only Hindu worshippers, but also members of other communities and tourists.” Over the decades, the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves has grown into one of the country’s largest annual religious gatherings, becoming a defining symbol of the Hindu community through its grand and colourful ceremonies held nationwide. Vinayagamurthi said key Thaipusam rituals are often

Rituals reflect gratitude, penance and unwavering faith across generations

turnout exceeding 2.5 million, boosted by an extended public holiday period. Factors contributing to the growth include strong devotional participation, increased domestic and international tourism, improved accessibility and wider media coverage. Vinayagamurthi said at its core, Thaipusam embodies universal values such as faith, self-discipline, gratitude, humility and community cooperation. “To the wider public, Thaipusam is a living expression of cultural harmony and spiritual perseverance. “It shows how shared values and goodwill can bring people together peacefully.” He also urged the Hindu community to observe the festival responsibly. “Let us fulfil our penance and rejoice in Lord Murugan’s blessings with discipline and respect, while avoiding unnecessary acts that could disrupt the celebrations or reflect poorly on the community.”

Vinayagamurthi added that Thaipusam celebrations have expanded significantly over the years. “With larger crowds, there is greater emphasis on safety, crowd management, cleanliness and healthcare support,” he said, adding that temples, volunteers and authorities work closely each year to address these challenges. He also pointed to the influence of technology and social media, which have increased public awareness of Thaipusam but also created the challenge of preserving the festival’s sacred essence amid growing public attention. Attendance has steadily increased over the years, reflecting both its enduring spiritual significance and expanding cultural appeal. Figures from the early 2000s recorded attendance in the hundreds of thousands, rising to over a million by the early 2010s. In 2025, authorities prepared for more than 1.8 million visitors, while estimates for 2026 anticipate

Drawing on his engineering background, Balasubramaniam began experimenting with aluminium, redesigning kavadis to be lighter, sturdier and more customisable while remaining faithful to religious tradition. Today, each kavadi takes weeks to complete, with raw materials sourced locally and from overseas. Peacock feathers, a key decorative element, are imported from India. What started as a small workshop has since evolved into a full-service operation. Balasubramaniam now serves devotees from across Malaysia, travelling north to south to deliver and assemble kavadis . He has also shipped them overseas, complete with instructional videos for assembly. “We don’t just make kavadi. We provide services. I guide devotees all the way up. I believe when they climb with their burdens, they shouldn’t come back down carrying them.” At the height of Thaipusam, he may climb Batu Caves up to 20 times a day, escorting each devotee before carrying the kavadi back down himself. misunderstood and should be viewed through their spiritual context rather than as mere spectacle. Carrying the kavadi , which literally means “burden” in Tamil, symbolises a devotee’s vow and surrender to Lord Murugan. These range from simple milk pots ( paal kudam ) to ornate metal structures borne during the pilgrimage. “The burden reflects sacrifice, endurance and humility. It reminds devotees that spiritual fulfilment often comes through discipline and perseverance,” he explained. Body piercing, which may appear extreme to observers, represents transcendence over physical pain and ego. He said these acts are undertaken only after weeks of spiritual preparation, including fasting, celibacy and prayer, and are regarded by devotees as deeply transformative. Milk offerings symbolise

purity,

gratitude

and

A Sikh man, married to a Christian woman, once requested a heavy kavadi . Midway up the steps, the man broke down in tears. “I thought something was wrong with the kavadi ,” he said. “But instead, he told me about his pain, years of marriage without children, the pressure, the hurtful comments.” Balasubramaniam urged him to release those burdens as he climbed. Six months later, the man called with unexpected news that his wife was pregnant and he had received a promotion at work. Although the family later relocated to Qatar, they continue to return to Malaysia for Thaipusam every year. Balasubramaniam refuses designs that contradict religious practices and ensures each kavadi matches the devotee’s physical capacity. The heaviest kavadi he has carried weighed 52kg, but he discourages excessive weight for safety reasons. “Only after everything is settled, when Thaipusam is truly sustenance. “Offering milk is a simple yet profound act that expresses thanksgiving for blessings received or vows fulfilled,” he said. Beyond its spiritual dimension, Thaipusam also reinforces strong community ties. Families often prepare together for weeks, supporting one another emotionally and physically during the pilgrimage. Thousands of volunteers play a vital role by managing crowds, distributing food and water ( annadhanam ), providing first aid and maintaining cleanliness, acts of selfless service that embody community care. Temples and organisers coordinate closely to ensure the smooth conduct of processions, safety arrangements and religious rites, helping preserve cultural continuity across generations.

Finding true calling in kavadi craftsmanship KUALA LUMPUR: What began as a teenager’s curiosity has grown into one of the most recognised kavadi -making and support services associated with Thaipusam in Malaysia. steep steps of Batu Caves. “That was when I truly understood the weight, the pressure and the pain,” he said. “Only then did I know what needed to be improved to make it safer and more balanced.” Demand continues to grow, with returning devotees from Sri Lanka, Canada, Australia, Indonesia and Qatar. Some who live abroad schedule annual trips home solely to fulfil their Thaipusam vows. One encounter remains especially close to his heart.

Balasubramaniam said each kavadi takes several weeks to complete, and are made with raw materials sourced locally and overseas, with peacock feathers imported from India. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

traces its origins to the legend of Idumban, a devoted follower of Sage Agastya who carried two sacred hills on a pole as instructed. Tested by Lord Murugan, Idumban learned that even the heaviest burdens can be borne through purity, surrender and devotion. He became the first kavadi bearer and those who follow his path are believed to receive divine blessings. – by Kirtinee Ramesh

over, will I carry my own kavadi and fulfil my vows,” he said. He stressed that carrying a kavadi is not merely a physical act but a disciplined spiritual undertaking. Devotees typically observe a vegetarian diet for 21 or 48 days, visit a temple daily and perform regular prayers. He said traditionally, once a person carries a kavadi , the vow is observed for at least three consecutive years. He shared that the kavadi