As the thunder rumbled boisterously above the sacred limestone caves, the celestial child Subramaniar majestically descended on his cosmic peacock. Exhausted after traversing many universes, the child deity sojourned momentarily. The effulgent radiance of Subramaniar permeated divinity into each granule of silurian limestone, and each granule mystically pulsated to the glowing aura of the child deity. The sojourn transformed into a deep meditation, as the celestial child deity desired to bless the future inhabitants of this land. The venerated Vel (spear of Lord Subramaniar) by his side, radiated with an abundance of golden hued 'shakti' (divine energy) which cascaded into every nook and cranny of the caves. Upon fulfilling this divine task, the child deity joyfully soared above to the heavenly skies on his cosmic peacock and aimed for the eternal 'Sivaloka' (divine realm of Lord Shiva). As a consequence of Subramaniar's celestial blessing, many imperceptible 'siddar's' (enlightened masters) together with their disciples gravitated towards the inner caverns of Batu Caves. Inside these unilluminated perennial caverns, these 'siddhar's' meditate upon the betterment of society. Although invisible to the masses, devotees who are spiritually sensitive have a discerning awareness of their ethereal presence.
Upon having a vision of the Mother Goddess, Thamboosamy Pillay woke up with a fervour deeply embedded in his mind. He was tasked on a mission by the Goddess to search a suitable site for her celestial child. Instilled with the divine commandment from the Mother Goddess, Thamboosamy Pillay persistently searched for this spiritual location. Several months later, he was informed of a lime stone hill called Batu Caves, and his intuition guided him that this was the perfect setting whereby Kaumara worship will thrive. In Sangam literature, Subramaniar is known as the Lord of Kurinji (mountaneous region), hence isolated hills and mountains of rugged beauty are synonymous with Kaumara worship. Thamboosamy Pillay along with an expedition team decided to climb up the limestone hill. After much difficulty by clinging on to roots to ascend the rugged terrain and navigating through thorny bushes, the expedition team reached the top of the elevation. All of them were captivated by the startling beauty of a spear shaped entrance to the cave. Upon entering the cave, they installed an initial sacred 'Vel' from a bamboo stick. The spiritually inducing Thaipoosam festival was established in 1892, and has since then become an annual event. Efforts to renovate the area were made to provide for a rising number of Subramaniar 'bhakta's' (devotees). Wooden steps were initially constructed in 1920 to ascend the hill. In 1930, the wooden steps were replaced with concrete stairs for the wellbeing of dedicated 'bhakta's'.
The mystical Sathguru Gnanananda Giri hailed from a lineage of Totakacharya, was a 'Peetadhipathi' (Spiritual head of a monastery) of Jyothirlinga mutt. He manifested supernatural events everywhere his saintly feet touched. Upon accomplishing aeons of yogic austerities in the inner depths of the icy Mansarovar lake, he then serenely went into tranquil meditation for decades in the snow clad mountains of Kedarnath and Badrinath, and many other sacred locations in ancient India. Sathguru Gnanananda Giri then departed India to travel far and wide to bless humanity. After reaching the thick dense tropical forests of Burma, the jovial saint then proceeded to astonishingly walk across the stormy Andaman sea, a superhuman feat indicating a 'siddhi' (magical power) to walk on water. Upon reaching the western coastline of Malaya, Sathguru immediately walked towards Batu Caves. Subsequently, he entered into a deep state of meditation in the inner caverns of Batu Caves. After emerging from his meditative state, the pious Sathguru Gnanananda Giri installed a bronze 'Vel' at the main temple of Batu Caves, and thus firmly initiated 'Kaumara' (worship of Lord Subramaniar) worship upon this soil.
The internationally prominent golden statue of Batu Caves Subramaniar temple was first unveiled in January 2006 during Thaipoosam. As 300 litres of gold paint was used for this magnificent statue, the splendour of the statue attracts many staunch devotees and curious tourists alike. Its height of 42.7 metres gives the statue an unparalleled setting amidst a serene mountainous landscape. The 272 steps of the temple had a rainbow makeover in August 2018, making it a spectacular sight for those paying homage to our beloved Subramaniar. According to the celebrated spiritual teacher Hilda Charlton, rainbows are a manifestation of Subramaniar's cosmic presence. It is a sign of Subramaniar's triumph over evil. Indeed it is an befitting for devout devotees to traverse the rainbow path and alight on the treaded path of our glorious Subramaniar.
A renowned 'oduvar' (singer for devotional Tamil hymns) and devout devotee of Batu Caves Subramaniar temple had experienced many mystical events in this spiritual location. The 'oduvar' used to regularly attend 'puja' (ritual worship) at the main temple, and sing Tamil hymns to accompany the rituals. Soon after, he had a vision of a handsome young lad with an exuberant face joyfully looking at him. The 'oduvar' politely requested the young boy to return to his parents. Instead of answering, the handsome young boy gently held the hand of the pious 'oduvar' and brought him to main temple of Batu Caves where the 'Vel' is worshipped. The young lad who is none other than our boisterous Subramaniar instructed the 'oduvar' with the following Tamil verse 'Vel Muruga Vaa'. This short hymn signifies an appeal for Subramaniar to appear with his glorious 'Vel'. The young lad disappeared abruptly, and the 'oduvar' woke up vibrant with energy. Soon after this incident, the 'oduvar' had a second dream. In the second dream, Subramaniar instructed the 'oduvar' to sing about the Batu Caves Subramaniar temple. Subsequently, the 'oduvar' spontaneously started singing many songs about this temple. His most acclaimed song is 'Velundu Vinaiyillai Mayilundu Bayamillai'.
A young Chinese boy who was behaving abnormal was brought to main Subramaniar temple at Batu Caves by his father. All the gathered devotees were curious about the boy and asked about the boy's condition to his father. The father explained to them that his son was possessed by an evil spirit. The young boy used to start shouting at midnight for no apparent reason, and then proceed to beat himself with his fists. The father had taken the son to a local shaman in his locality, and was informed by the shaman of the son's predicament. The shaman explained to the father that this was due to ancestral karmic debt. The shaman suggested for atonement of the sin, to participate in prayers held at the Batu Caves Subramaniar temple on 'Sasthi' (6th day of a lunar month). Both father and son participated in offering 'puja' items for an 'abisekham' (ritual shower of the deity) consisting respectively of milk, turmeric, tender coconut water, honey, sugarcane and sandalwood paste. After the 'puja' was concluded, the temple priest applied 'vibhuti' (sacred ash) on the forehead, throat and arms of the boy. Suddenly the boy felt a thunderous slap on his back, and he immediately regained his senses. The boy's behaviour was coherent, but he was wondering why was he in a Hindu temple. His father explained the situation to the young boy. After hearing what had taken place, the young boy knelt down in front of inner sanctum in gratitude.
An anxious mother hurriedly raced up the steps of Batu Caves Subramaniar temple and wept in front of the inner sanctum. Her ten year old daughter was diagnosed with Covid-19 and was hospitalised at a renowned government hospital. All those attending the daily 'puja' at the main temple were grieved to witness the mother's anguish. A few devotees of temple consoled her and persuaded her to dispose her agony at the blessed feet of Lord Subramaniar. She then prostrated before the inner sanctum and pleaded with Subramaniar to save her child. Moments later, the temple priest gave the young mother a packet of 'vibhuti' and specifically instructed her to apply the 'vibhuti' on the forehead of her daughter. She then rushed back to the hospital to apply the 'vibhuti' on her daughter. However the attending nurses forbade her from doing so, stating that all underaged patients who have contracted Covid-19 had to dealt with caution. Hence immediate family members were not allowed into the restricted hospital ward. The mother broke down again, and wept uncontrollably. Wearied by crying, she slept off on in a waiting room. That night the mother had a strange dream, a youthful boy laughing joyfully at her and blessing her with his palms. The next day, the nurses hurriedly came in the morning and questioned the mother. Someone had applied 'vibhuti' on her 10 year old daughter. However as the mother did not have access into the restricted ward, it was certainly not her. The ten year old girl recovered in a few days and returned home with her mother after a week in hospital. Both had a deep sense of gratitude towards Lord Subramaniar and offered their prayers within the confines of their home.
Idumban Kavadi
The 'kavadi' is fundamental to the Thaipoosam festival. The original 'kavadi' was carried by Idumban, hence Idumban has become the guardian of all those participating in carrying the 'kavadi'. 'Kavadi' essentially means supporting a load upon oneself and carrying this load to Subramaniar to implore his blessings to reduce our karmic debt. Many spiritual aspirants fast for a period of days. This involves fasting on a restricted vegetarian diet, sexual abstinence, sleeping on the floor and unwaveringly being involved in prayers with meditation. There are many types of 'kavadi' including 'Paal Kavadi' (carrying a pot of milk on the head), 'Karambu Kavadi' (parents blessed with offspring will carry their child on a cradle made of cloth tied to a sugarcane pole), 'Thol Kavadi' (semi-circular top which is decorated with peacock feathers, glitter and flowers), 'Allavu Kavadi' (piercing the flesh of the mouth or tongue with a spear), 'Idumban Kavadi' (carrying a wooden pole with pots attached at both ends). The most spectacular of the 'kavadi' type is the 'Mayil Kavadi'. The 'Mayil Kavadi' is a tiered structure which is decorated with plumes of peacock feathers, Lord Subramaniar's statue and vessels containing holy 'abisekham'.
The roar of the 'urumi melam' (traditional percussion instrument) deafens the atmosphere, inducing a trancelike passionate energy. The ancestral guardians hover above in close proximity, keeping at bay any disruptive negative energy. The 'kavadi' adherents leap into the air in a spirited manner, eyes bulging wide and a furious frenzy of footwork begins. The spirit of ancestral deities are infused into their subtle body, acting as an armour against roguish hindrances. Their senses perceive flashes of lightning, scents of jasmine and champak and wafts of evocative incense. The spiritually elevated are able to discern their respective guru and ancestral deity. They utter silent pledges Lord Subramaniar, and then proceed on their sacred march. Those who have diligently fasted are often victorious in their undertaking. Upon passing the sacred steps of Batu Caves, the 'kavadi' adherents dismount from their 'kavadi' and offer vessels of holy 'abisekham' to Lord Subramaniar. The moment is eternal and many of the jubilant 'kavadi' adherents experience waves of peace and tranquillity. They offer their gratitude to Subramaniar, who has guided them thus far and annihilated a portion of their karmic debt. Hence their destiny is altered, and soul rejuvenated to face life's challenges.
Allavu Kavadi Thol Kavadi (left), Paal Kavadi (right)
Carl Vadivella Belle
This final statement is a tribute to Thaipoosam, is an excerpt from Dr.Carl Vadivella Belle. He is a former Australian diplomat at the Australian embassy in Malaysia, and currently lives in Australia. Carl first experienced Thaipoosam in 1976, resulting him to become a practicing Hindu in 1981. He is an ardent devotee of Lord Subramaniar and passionately carries 'kavadi' with faith during Thaipoosam. "Each 'kavadi' has provided a unique experience, but it was the 3rd 'kavadi' taken in 1983 that demonstrated the deeper spirituality of the 'yatra' (pilgrimage). On this occasion I dedicated my 'kavadi' to my mother-in-law who was dying of cancer, and indeed had been only given several weeks to live. Following my 3rd 'kavadi' my mother-in-law lived for a further 5 years, thus defying the prognoses of Melbourne's top cancer specialists. During this 'yatra' I felt a sense of total peace, a oneness and awareness that surpassed any spirituality that I had ever known. I felt that I had achieved some understanding of the deep spirituality possessed by those holy men and women, the swamis and gurus. Consequently the task before me was to try to realise this sense of spirituality in daily life. This 'kavadi' experience immersed me into a sacred world where I could sense a deep oneness, a renewed spirituality that remains a reference point for mundane life and as a spur for my spiritual striving".
Address: Kawasan industrial Batu Caves, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
Hours: 7am to 12pm, 5pm to 8.30pm
Phone: 03 61896284
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