AVM, Thondu Seivom and Amudhasurabi teamed up again to conduct the annual lighting of 108 lamps and Annadhanam program for the second time at the Batu Caves Muruga Temple yesterday.
We gathered at Batu Caves even before 8 am and started our program with the blessings of Lord Vinayagar and Mauna Guru Siddha at the base of the hill cave. Treading carefully the 272 steps we reached the cave at the top where Lord Muruga blesses devotees in the form of a Vel.
We then proceeded up a small flight of steps to the next level of the cave where Lord Muruga gives darshan with Valli and Deivanai. We lighted 108 ghee lamps in front of Lord Nadarajah, sang the praise of Siddhas and asked that Agathiyar should safeguard all his creations.
We fed the monkeys and came down the hill to give Annadhanam - distributing food packets to the public. We fed the birds and fishes too.
It was a wonderful outing besides carrying out a small prayer for the well being of all of Erai's creation. It was fulfilling to do charity and dharmam, although only in a very small way.
Starting the day at Lord Vinayagar's Sannadhi
Lighting the lamps at Mauna Guru Siddha's Samadhi
Climbing Batu Caves
Preparing the earthen lamps
Lighting the 108 lamps
Singing the praise of the Siddhas
Giving away food parcels
A jump in the air to mark the success of the days program. This photo is courtesy of a Chilean couple touring Malaysia who stopped to snap us in mid air.
