Walk of the faithful

SHYAMALA RANI Supramaniam was just 12 when she first vowed to carry the kavadi.

Carrying the kavadi is one of the many vows that devotees make during the festival of Thaipusam. The devotees come from all ages, and it's no strange thing to see youngsters out there making oaths, and proclaiming their faith.

Balamurali  . . . 'it is important for one to abstain from all worldly comforts so that one can achieve the state of trance'

Considered the most colourful festival in Malaysia, Thaipusam is the day Hindus fulfil their vows, give penance and conduct special prayers for a better future.

Shyamala had a growth on her back several years ago. "The growth was really severe and I had difficulties walking straight. It hurt terribly so I decided to take a vow to help ease my pain," said Shyamala.

Living on just water and one meal a day for a week, Shyamala took a vow to skewer her tongue. Though she admits to being scared initially, she says she could not feel any pain while in a trance.

"It felt like an ant bite after I was out of the trance," said Shyamala, who participated in her eighth kavadi on January 21, 2000.

Interestingly, the problem which she once faced (the growth) has been completely cured.

Like Shyamala, many devotees perform these unbelievable feats on faith alone. According the Sathi Sai Baba council member S.N. Muthu, devotees who undertake a vow must follow certain spiritual disciplines to purify themselves before the festival.

"One must perform a viratham or fast from all forms of pleasure," said Muthu, 57.

Among the vows taken are through carrying the kavadi or pal kodum (milk containers), breaking of coconuts or shaving one's head bald.

Some devotees opt to carry the kavadi, which is made out of a metal or wooden frame and decorated with flowers while others, like Shyamala, chose to go through an austere penance in the form of body piercing.

The act is done by piercing ones cheeks with sharp skewers and their bare bodies with hooks.

It may look and sound extremely painful but to the devotees, it is painless as they are usually in a trance.

Many young people undertake vows for a brighter future. For Engineering student Balamurali Muthu, 19, his SPM exam was of great importance. His vow was made so he would get good results in the exam.

Balamurali became a vegetarian for one month and gave up all luxuries; for example, in exchange for his comfy bed, Balamurali opted for just a piece of dhoti cloth which was placed on the floor.

According to him, it is essential to follow all the necessary steps before undertaking the kavadi.

"If you do not discipline yourself by fasting and avoiding all forms of pleasure, you will not be able to go into the trance," he said. Balamurali took his second kavadi on Jan 21, 2000.

Arumugam Subramaniam, 25, agrees that it is important to prepare oneself before undertaking the kavadi. Like Balamurali, Arumugam took his first vow for the sake of his studies.

Determined to do well in his STPM examinations and gain entry in the local university, Arumugam became a vegetarian for a week and pierced his back with 24 hooks.

Now a marketing executive, Arumugam said that his wishes were fulfilled when he managed to secure a seat in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

"I believe my fasting certainly paid off," said Arumugam.