SHAH ALAM, Jan 18 — Thaipusam is a holy festival that symbolises a time of sacrifice where the worshipping of Lord Murugan is carried out through fasting and the carrying of the kavadi, which means “burden.”
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the act of complete surrender in celebrating the festival could be taken as a lesson by all regardless of religion and race.
Citing the recent floods that had badly hit Selangor, Amirudin said the spirit of sacrifice could be seen during the incident as it had cost the loss of lives and belongings and affected many others.
“Saddened by the unforeseen disaster, the state government had mobilised all machinery and assets and had disbursed financial assistance to help the flood victims.
“The commitment and solidarity showed by the volunteers who had come from across the country prove that the sacrifice of all parties is needed for us to find a way out from any disaster taking place,” said Amirudin in his Thaipusam address today.
Amirudin, who is also the Sungai Tua state assemblyman, had described how the triumph of deity Lord Murugan, also known as Subramaniam, is a sign of the victory of good over evil.
He said the lesson behind success allows the people to continue sacrificing for the good that would benefit society as a whole.
“On that note, I would like to wish a Happy Thaipusam to all Hindus,” he said.
The Thaipusam festival is one of the important dates in the Hindu calendar and is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan.
According to Hindu mythology, Murugan is the god of courage, wealth and wisdom, who defeated demons using a spear, or Vel, to save humanity.
