Thaipusam Celebration at Batu Caves

In Malaysia, the Thaipusam Festival is celebrated on the 17^th January 2014, a day of the full moon. So what is really the meaning of Thaipusam. A quick search revealed that Thaipusam is an important festival observed by the Hindus of southern India during the Tamil month of Thai (January-February).

Thaipusam is a day of celebration dedicated to the Hindu God Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati. It was believed that Goddess Parvati presented a golden spear to Lord Murugan to vanquish the demon army of Tarakasura and combat their evil deeds.  So Thaipusam is actually a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

The attraction of this traditional festival has drawn in visitors both local and abroad. The photography community in Malaysia has been fascinated with this festival for many years. 

Each year, we see a growing numbers of photographers from professionals, amateurs and newbies to this fascinating event. And of course, not forgetting that it is also a major tourist attraction. 

For this year, it's another exciting year to capture the bustling activities of this religious congregation of devotees. Though the preparation of the festival began more than a month ago, it all culminate on this day of the full moon where the blessing from Lord Murugan is at it's peak.

So to mark this day of penance and thanksgivings, Hindu devotees will pierce their body with metal skewers and carry pots of milk on their heads as offering to Lord Murugan.  During the ceremonial worship, some devotees will carry Kavadi that is decorated with flowers and peacock feathers.  In preparation for the procession, devotees will shave their head bald and began a cleansing ritual or bath in the nearby river.  Thereafter, the devotees will make their way to the Temple Cave and climb the 272-step stairway up to the temple.

The Kavadi is a form of ceremonial offering that emphasizes on the devotees’ debt bondage.   So generally, Hindus take a vow to offer kavadi as a purpose of tiding over a great calamity.

The simplest kavadi is a semi-circular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders to the temple.

There are devotees that go to the extreme as to torture their bodies to appease the Lord. Therefore, the major attraction of Thaipusam is body piercing with hooks, skewers and small spears called 'vel'. Some will pull chariots with hooks stuck to their back and spear piercing through their tongue and cheek which prevent him from speaking and gives him great power of endurance.

Devotees will enter into a trance during such piercing rituals due to the incessant drumming and chanting of 'vel vel shakti vel' . They are blessed by the priests and there are no blood during these piercing rituals.

THROWBACK to 2011 Graduation Ceremony at Curtin University in Singapore

Still in the early week of January 2014, I decided to do some past event posting 

which I missed out, especially the one in Singapore.

Let's go back to the year 2011 and specifically on Friday, 21st October.

It was the day where we proudly witness the graduation ceremony 

for all the amazing and brilliant students of Curtin University.

The Graduation Ceremony for the graduates of Curtin University 

was held at the Singapore Hall. 

It was indeed a happy moment for all at this grand event.

Happy New Year 2014

Goodbye to 2013 

as we welcome 

the dawn of the new beginning!

Happy New Year 2014.

A Boxing Day of Sale & Sales!

In London, thousand of shoppers braved the cold winter morning to queue in the dark at the pre-opening of the Boxing Day sale. The main area for the Boxing day bargain hunt is Oxford Street, the heart of shopping in London and home to major designer labels.

Like every year, Harrods kicks off its winter sale on the early hours of 26th December. This year, Harrods provided hot chocolate drinks, smoked salmon canapes and blankets to keep their customers in the queue warm in this cold, cold winter morning

The winter sales will intensive till January 2014, for those who missed the Boxing day sale there is hope still for bargain hunting so mark these dates in your shopping calendar!

London Winter Sale - December 2013 - January 2014

Most of London's department stores will start their 2014 winter sales on either 26 or 27 December, some of them having sales include:

Harrods - Starts 26 December

The iconic Knightsbridge store's winter sale are famous for big savings on luxury goods

Harvey Nichols - Starts 26 December

The chic department store offers shoppers impressive reductions

John Lewis - Starts 2 January 2014

The popular department store boasts it's "never knowingly undersold"

Liberty - Starts 26 December

Treat yourself to some Liberty luxury at discount prices

London Designer Outlets - Start 26 December

This brand new shopping destination offers up to 70% off all year round

Peter Jones - Start 27 December

Shop in comfort and style at the much-loved department store

Selfridges - TBC

Six floors of sale-packed shopping.

Westfield London - Start 26 December

Shepheard's Bush to snap up clothes, shoes, electronics at low prices

Westfirled Stratford City - Start 26 December

More than 200 stores under one roof

Fortnum & Mason - Starts 27 December

London's most luxurious food emporium offers up a hearty sale

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2014

 I wish you, 

my family and friends 

a very 

Merry Christmas 

and 

a Happy New Year 

2014

Happy Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is a major festival celebrated in the West and East. The solstice marks the beginning of winter and has been celebrated for thousands of years.

  

In the UK, the winter solstice is a major pagan festival, with rituals of rebirth as revelers gather at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise.   In ancient times, the winter solstice celebration is to mark the last day of the Mayan calendar, signaling the end of the world.

However, the world did not end so today is a celebration to mark the rebirth of a new year!

The question of whether the Stonehenge was built to celebrate the winter solstice remains a mystery till today.  That is one expert’s theory, but there are several theories as to why the stone structure was built, include that it was a temple of worship to the Sun; an ancient royal burial ground; or as an astronomical observatory. But none of these theories has been proven true so the Stonehenge remains a mystery.

While in China, the winter solstice is celebrated in the Dongzhi Festival (the arrival of winter). This year the festival falls on Sunday, 22^nd December 2013.

Traditionally, the Chinese family will get together and one of the fun activities is the making and eating of tangyuan or glutinous rice balls, which symbolize reunion.

In Malaysia, the winter solstice festival is better known as the Tang Yuan festival.  Tang Yuan are made of glutinous rice flour and mostly in bright colors of red, pink or yellow.  They are served in an aromatic soup made of brown sugar, water and seasoned with pandan leaves and ginger. 

A Walk on the Jubilee Promenade

Enjoy a walk from the Millenium Bridge to the London Eye that takes you along the South Bank of the Thames River on the stretch of the Jubilee Promenade.

The walkway provides a pleasant walk with its many benches for resting and enjoying the serenity of the river view. Autumn trees lining the walkway with its golden leaves scattered along the walkway. Further downriver, the view of St Paul's Cathedral and the Millenium Bridge. 

The walk will usually end at the Westminster's bridge as you approach the amazing London Eye.