heights of faith !

It was tiring and long day with mixed emotions. The last day of this age for me !

I shall be one year older tomorrow :-) So I thought I will write something not very serious.

Today is thaipoosam thiruvizha (festival) which is a Tamil festival - thanksgiving day to Lord Muruga, S/o Lord Shiva. It is very famous in Singapore and Malaysia and considered one of the colourful festivals of Asia. Devotees carry statues of the god pierced on frames and spikes called Kavadi and dance all along the procession from Selegie road to Tank Road. Thousands of them do this each for their own, specific causes and faiths. In Tamil Nadu, even chariots are drawn with hooks pierced onto skin. It is a ghory sight for human eyes. Though I am aethist, I do not comment negative on this since I respect individual's feelings on faith and god.

These were some of the things I was observing on this hot Saturday from 1 -4 pm.

1. A few of the heroes of the day :

2. Most active group of people in the crowd : Photographers, foreigners in particular

3. The second most busy people : Public servants - Scavengers, Every one hour, there was this truck load of garbage moved out, whew.... God doesnt seem to be environmentally friendly !? Thaneer panthal was also set up with free rosemilk and lemonade served in polythene covers with straws. They were all lying around half undrunk !

4. I have always wondered what is the relation between hinduism and this symbol (Hitler's). I know very well how will swastika look like. This is mirror image of swastika !!!

This was used as an inspiration for this kavadi design :-) Other modern inspirational designs (the green one had a tinge of Santa Claus !

5. Prickly slippers !!! (can be compared to life, if not properly stepped, will hurt severely)

6. Signboards : This baby constantly kept banging this board. The refund policy was for hiring rental for the spike kavadi !! (Business, huh...?)

Thaipoosam transport ? Interesting !

7. Police - Impressive :-)

8. Peacock is the vehicle for Lord Muruga, the peacocks themselves seemed to have one for their own commutation :-)

It was almost coming to an end and I was already exhausted at these sights, managed to videotape some of the "removal" processes; ones from tongue were awful :-O I had to travel back home and the bed was so inviting and irresistable !!!