GRAND MASSI MANGGAM FESTIVAL
ON THE
ISLAND of PANGKOR in STATE of PERAK DARUL RIDZAUAN. PENINSULAR MALAYSIA.
On the month of
March, dated 06th.Tuesday & 07th.Wednesday, Year 2012,
It’s
a festival observed on full moon day on the month of Massi in Tamil calendar
for GODDESS SHREE PATHIRA KALI AMMAN in Pangkor Island, State of Perak Darul
Ridzuan. Malaysia.
This
festival is celebrated for those fulfilling a vow who have in the past asked
for help such as birth of baby, healing the sickness of own self or of the
loved once, helping to pull through a hard times as well as achievement in
studies or career.
In return they have promised to carry a kavadi,
chariot pulling or body piercing as well as hanging on the air with hooks at
the back of their body if the request is fulfilled or granted.
It
is expected approximately 10,000 people will be joining and taking part in this
festival this year together with other Hindu devotees as far as from India,
Mauritius, Indonesia-Medan & Bali, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Australia and Sri Lanka.
The
participants in this festival, either carry milk pot or bearing a kavadi made
of fresh flowers, peacock feathers and fruits. Other alternative are piercing
their body with hooks or rods made of pure silver stainless steel as well as
gold gold. Body flagellation may also practice during this festival.
On
taking part in this thanks giving festival will observe a strict vegetarian
diet and refrain from alcohol. The requirements are transcendence of desire
and to be
pure in mind thoughts, body as well as speech. That means no unpleasant words,
no unpleasant thoughts, sexual abstinence and no intimate body contacts between
different genders.
The
kavadi and milk pot bearers and those who piercing the body would sleep on the
floor using yellow dhoti as a sheet or straw plant mat, not on bed or mattress and
bathing in icy cold water at dawn.
The
participant usually ties yellow string at their wrist to know that they are
observing a fasting and going to participate in thanks giving massimagam
festival. They will spend most of their time in the temple.
It
is claimed the devotees are able to enter to trance and feel no pain, do not
bleed from their wound and no scars left behind from the piercing of the sharp
objects into their body.
The devotees, who flock with the processions, take dips in the
holy water of the sea with the faith that the immersion would actually wash
away the sins. The whole of the sea shore of Pasir Bogak, Pangkor Island
becomes a fair ground full of fun and festivity.
Tips: 1) There are hawker stalls set up along some of the side roads and
at the temple that sell all sorts of trinkets, so bring a little money in case
you want to purchase something. 2)Bring some wet wipes, preferably liquid hand
sanitizer to clean your hands prior to eating. 3) Eat only in clean stalls and please drink directly from the bottle
or can and don’t not take ice cubes in your drinks. 4)
Put a lot of sun protection on your skin, it can be rather very hot weather. 5)
Have you camera or video-cam batteries fully charged and bring along a back-up
battery as well as equip them large capacity of memory/sd card.
Warnings: 1. Watch out for snatch thieves while in the crowds, if you are
carrying a handbag or camera make sure to secure it to your body. 2. Don’t bring your valuables and travel documents/passports,
leave them behind in safe hands. 3. There are no washrooms/toilets available
along the main routes. 4. Do not consume alcohol or light up cigarettes during
the procession.
Good wishes and enjoy
yourself.
For more information
please contact:
Mohan
Kasi
Tel:
+6019 5747183
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