THANGA RATHAM - GOLDEN CHARIOT

Devotees from Malaysia go to Palani and Thiruchedur India to fulfill theirvenduthal, all these years. Now devotess can be experience the same in Sri Balathandayuthanpani Murugan Temple, Jalan Yam Tuan , Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. This Golden Chariot is covered with pure 24 carat Gold Leaf by special craftsmen of India.

It would be a beautiful sight to view the Golden Chariot in procession. The Chariot is made in gold and dragged by the devotees is common practice in Murugan temples. But unlike what many believes and claimed as a show of devotion and love, it is done because of a few reasons. The chariot is made in Gold just like the temple's Kumbam or the dome because of the conductive properties of Gold.

The Gold Chariot 1st would be prayed in the temple to energise the cosmic energy then will be carried out to the streets to transfer the energy to the devotess and the rest of the public. This is because Hindus believe that not only humans should benefit from the cosmic energy but every life form.

During the proccession, the devotees will come and prayer and at the same time provide milk and drinks to the devotees who help bringing the chariot for the benefits of others. Cracking of coconuts is a normal practice to symbolise the breaking of one's ego. The coconut should then to be taken back and used for cooking vegetarian food and at times can be given away to others.

This is the proper practice that should be followed. But what happening here in Malaysia is totaly opposite. People will crack the coconuts in the street. The coconuts will shatter and the left in the streets. Trampled around, these coconuts will then become trash eventually rot in the streets. Hinduism does not promote wastage especially when it comes to food. Whats more is the sharp edges of the coconut shells might poke the bare feet of the devotees. It is also will dirty the area and turn out to be extra work for the municipal workers. The practice of breaking the coconut in temples nowadays also sees the same fate. Some, who do coconut archanai in temples are using the coconut for meat curry thinking they are saving the coconut but forgeting that the coconut was blessed in the temple which promotes vegetarian lifestyles.

Ok, let me explain about the ubayam. Its done as to support food for the devotees and meant as a charity for the poor people. The food price should not be fixed by any temples. All practices in temples are meant as service for the benefit of mankind. But once the temple fixes the price for the service provided, the temple is no longer a place for service but it becomes a business.

Those who follow my posts in MI Club will realise that I always go for the temple but when the practice or the system is against the actual purpose we need to stand corrected.

Please don't turn God into a commodity.