TRIP TO MALAYSIA

Eashu’s Marriage reception was at Perlis, Malaysia. The marriage took place at our Residence in Kanadukathan in Tamil Nadu on the 11^th of September 2011. On that day Eashu married Dr.Ramanathan MBBS, who later joined a Hospital in Alor setar, Malaysia. Alor setar is one hour away from Kangar. Ramu later studied Master’s degree in Stroke management in Vienna, Austria, Europe and is now completing MRAD (Master of Radiology).

 

Ramu is a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) born and brought up in Malaysia. He is a native of O.Siruvayal in Tamil Nadu which is just 5 kilometres away from Kanadukathan. Eashu was studying Mass Media Communication in Bombay. Their marriage reception at Perlis was on 1^st of October 2011.

We took an Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur from Trichirappalli on the 27^th of September 2011. Air Asia is a low cost airline. If booked in advance the cost of the air ticket for the four hour flight that we took could be anywhere around Rs 3600/-. For that price one can take a hand luggage weighing not more than 7 Kilos. For booked luggage one has to pay additional money. When we went the, minimum weight of booked luggage was 15 kilos, the maximum being 30 Kilos. If any one takes more than the booked weight a heavy penalty of Rs 600/- per Kilo is levied. For food or Water, and comfortable seats, one has to pay extra charges.

My wife Sivagami and daughter in law Meena accompanied me. The Trichi air port was 70 kilometres away from our residence and we had to leave 1.5 hours earlier than the reporting time.

The flight took off on time at 9.30 a.m.  IST. The flight landed at Kuala Lumpur around 13.30 hrs IST. The corresponding Malaysian standard time was 16.00 hrs. Air Asia lands in a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (KLIA2), which is about 7 Kms away from the International Airport (KLIA2) .We had to walk a long distance from the aircraft to enter the KLIA2 airport building. We could come out only at 17.30 after the immigration, luggage clearance and customs formalities.

Kuala Lumpur simply known as KL was formed as a tin mining post about 150 years back. Today it is a sprawling city bustling with activity, having a population of over 6.0 Million with the city proper having 1.8 Million of them. The LCCT itself is about 50Kms away from the city. The city also merges into adjacent cities like Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shaw Alam Klang and Port Klang.

A relative of ours was waiting at the airport with his new car the dicky of which could accommodate the six suit cases we carried with us. We were shown the Dhandayutha pani temple. After a night view of the twin towers and the area around it we went for dinner in a south Indian Restaurant.

We were housed in a three bedroom flat belonging to Berjia Resorts of which our hosts were members. Dr.Ramanathan’s father Dr.Muthuveerappan is a successful doctor practising in Perlis. His wife Meena is my sister’s daughter born in Rayavaram,one of the 75 villages of Chettinad and is located 14 Kms from Kanadukathan.

Next day morning we went to Batu caves, which is a huge limestone hill consisting of three big caves and several smaller ones. It is the focal point of the Hindu festival Thai Pusam.

Thaipusam is derived from the month’s name Thai and Pusam, which refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Goddess Parvati gave Murugan a "spear" so that he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadamn. There is a misconception among people that Thaipusam marks Murugan's birthday; However, it is believed that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month (May/June), is Murugan's birthday.

On the day previous to Thai Poosam a big procession starts at the Mariamman temple in the city and ends up at Batu caves in the wee hours. The colourful celebration starts then and lasts for nearly 8 hours.  Several Lakhs of devotees take part in it. In 2006 the festival had attracted 1.5  million devotees making it one of the largest gatherings in the world. Batu Caves are located approximately 12 Kms to the north of Kuala Lumpur.

One has to scale 272 steps to reach the Cathedral cave. At the foot of the hill there is a Museum Cave and an Art gallery cave. Around the hill there are several Idols of Hindu Gods. The largest of them is the Murugan Idol which stands 140 feet tall.

Many disciples carry brightly decorated Kavadies and take offerings to the Lord. Kavadi is a semi circular piece of Wood or Metal decorated well, normally with coloured paper and flowers with peacock feathers on either end. The offering is usually milk hung in a pot. It has to be carried all the 272 steps and deposited at the foot of the lord. It is a physical burden and an arduous task against the gravity, which is done with the grace of god.

No age is small for carrying the Kavadi.

There is a blend of tradition, faith, and enjoyment in the entire operation. Some people enter into a state of extreme emotion and excitement that they do not remember what happened and how they carried the Kavadi all the distance.

We then went to the Royal Palace The palace grounds are not opened to members of the public or tourists. The Main Palace Entrance is a favourite picture spot for tourists because of the Archs of the Gates that resembles a mini Bukingham Palace   gates. Again, in the front of the Istana Negara, the main entrance resembles an arch and on each side of the arch, are two guard posts to shelter two members of the cavalry in their full dress uniform similar to the ones at Buckingham Palace, London.

Inside the palace there is a very good lawn, many flower plants and trees, a badminton court and a swimming pool are also there among other facilities.We took a photograph, with the guard standing on one side of the gate.

We then proceeded to Penang in a comfortable Bus. It was a four hour journey with one stop in between. It was a nice two decker bus in which refreshments were provided.

Penang is a the smallest state in Malaysia, next only to Perlis. It is named  after the constituent Island, known as Penang Island. During the British rule Penang Island was named as Prince of Whales Island. The then prince of whales was subsequently crowned as King George IV. George Island was named after King George III. It is on the west Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Dr.Muthuveerappan has a Condominium in Penang Times Squre in the heart of Penang Island. We took a taxi and reached the place where eashu was waiting for us. She served very nice Idiyappam and Kosamalli. The former purchased and the latter prepared by her. Nice idiappam is sold near thier flat. They make large quantities over an inverted basket covered with cloth.

We went to a Budhatemple and was astonished by the mammoth constructions. The temple show casesMalaysia’s cultural and religious diversity. As the largest Buddist temple in Malaysia, it combines Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture.

We then proceeded to Perlis, which is a small state in Malaysia with an area of 821 square kilometers and a population of 2.93 lakhs ( In 2023 ). The largest city in Perlis is Kangar. It is also the capital.

Dr. Muthuveerappan who is practicing Geriatrics there has a house in Kangar. Behind every sucessful man there is a successful lady.

They organized a nice marriage reception party on October 01^st 2011. It was well attended. All the people they knew in and around Malaysia attended. My brother’s son Govindan from Singapore came with his family. We were housed in a nice hotel. They organized Martial Arts in the party. It was good.

We returned back home after a satisfying trip.