The Chithirai Pournami festival in Teluk Intan saw a grand celebration, as more than 20,000 Hindu devotees gathered at the historic Sri Thendayuthapani Temple to perform religious rituals and fulfil spiritual vows. The festival, one of the most significant in the Tamil Hindu calendar was marked by colourful kavadi processions, milk pot offerings (paal koodam), prayer sessions, and the traditional breaking of coconuts.
In a move to support local traders participating in the 10 day festival bazaar, the Perak state government announced a RM400 reduction in stall rental fees. This year, the Teluk Intan Municipal Council (MPTI) set the fee at RM2,500, compared to RM2,900 in 2024, following complaints from vendors about the high cost.
Perak Executive Councillor for Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration, A.Sivanesan, shared the news during a site visit to the festival area.
“The Chithirai Pournami festival is a celebration that has been held for three days since yesterday on a grand scale in Teluk Intan because it is the most popular festival. The MPTI and other stakeholders made thorough and appropriate preparations so that Hindu devotees could celebrate it without any issues,”, said Sivanesan.
The celebration runs from 9th May-18th May, with 114 booths allocated for business purposes. The MPTI and various stakeholders have been actively involved in preparing the temple grounds and surrounding areas to ensure the festival runs smoothly for devotees and traders alike.
Chithirai Pournami, which falls on the full moon of the Tamil month of Chithirai, is a spiritual occasion that honours Chitragupta, the divine accountant believed to record the deeds of humans. Devotees take part in acts of prayer to seek forgiveness for past wrongdoings and blessings for the future.
With crowds arriving as early as 4am, the Teluk Intan festival has once again proven to be a spiritual and cultural focal point for Malaysian Hindus, while contributing to the local economy.
Sources: Bernama
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