Start of new year for Tamils and Malayalees, while Sikhs celebrate Vasakhi

KUALA LUMPUR: Today is an auspicious day for several communities in Malaysia.

While Tamils and Malayalees usher in their new year, Sikhs celebrate Vasakhi, which marks the anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa order.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple board chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah said the Tamil new year, called Virothi, marked the beginning of the Chittirai month.

“All our temples will mark the new year with the abishegam or bathing of the deities at 6.30am followed by a special pooja,” he said.

Starting anew: Hindu devotees offering prayers on the eve of the Tamil and Malayalee new year at Court Hill Vinayagar Temple in Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur, last night.

This will be followed by the reading of the almanac or panjangam immediately after at the Jalan Tun H.S. Lee and Old Pudu Road temples here. The panjangam will, however, be read at the Batu Caves temple at 8pm tonight.

Nadarajah said ponggal, or sweet rice, will be prepared for devotees. The temple board will also distribute 10,000 copies of the new Tamil calendar to those attending the ceremonies.

G. Ganesan, the secretary of the Sri Kandaswamy Temple in Lorong Scott, Brickfields, said they would pray for the well-being of the Government and nation, especially since Malaysia has a new prime minister and Cabinet.

Malayalees, meanwhile, observe Vishu, the astronomical new year day, today.

In Seremban, Malaysian Gurdwara Council president Malkith Singh said the Vasakhi celebrations at most gurdwara (Sikh places of worship) began on Sunday with the continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh holy book. The Sikhs regard the Granth Sahib as their living Guru.

“Our non-Sikh friends are more than welcome to celebrate with us. Vegetarian meals will be served, and they can learn more about our culture and traditions,” he said.

Meanwhile, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, in his Tamil new year message, urged the Indian community to embrace the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the MIC would lead the way in embracing the 1Malaysia concept by working with all sections of the Indian community and Indian-based non-governmental organisations.

Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, in a statement, extended his good wishes to the Tamil, Malayalee and Sikh communities.

He also urged the Indian community to wholeheartedly support the new leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.