Malaysian Thaipusam Coconut Smashing and Procession

Millions of old coconuts were broken as a form of thanksgiving by Hindu devotees and foreign tourists as the Chariot of Lord Murugan in the streets of Penang, today in conjunction of the annual celebration of Thaipusam on Saturday. Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. 29/01/2010.

The procession of the flower bedecked silver Chariot bearing the deity Murugan started at Kovil Veedu in Lebuh Penang about 5.30 am this morning and was drawn by cows.

It covers a 10 km route and passes through Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Victoria, Jalan Megazine, Jalan Dato Kramat and Jalan Utama before arriving at the Nattukotai Chettiar
Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga at around 9 pm tonight.

Thaipusam is one of the festivals celebrated by Malaysian Hindus during the full moon in the month of "Thai" in the Tamil Calendar, which usually falls between January and
early February.

According to legend, the Thaipusam celebrations began when the goddess Parvathi, Murugan's mother, gave him a bow and arrow to destroy evil.

Murugan's success in restoring prosperity and the wellbeing of the people, became an occasion for Hindus to celebrate and observe Thaipusam.