Despite the current weather devotees and tourists have come from far to be part of event

A large number of devotees have been flocking daily to the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple in Nadi.

This is to celebrate the 91st Annual Vaarshika Thaipoosam Thirunaal Festival.

Auckland, New Zealand, devotee Davendra Dass was present with his family for the auspicious prayer rituals.

He said: “I am from Nadi and this has been part of our lives until we moved abroad.

“Although I have not been coming every year, but once or twice I come to attend the festival. This year we decided to be part of the journey for the 10 days festival.”

Mr Dass added that the temple plays a significant role in their family circles.

“For me and my wife we come to pray here and we have such high hopes and faith in this temple.

“This kind of festive is one of a kind and the atmosphere we receive here is different to other areas we pray.”

Despite the current weather devotees and tourists have come from far to be part of event.

“My wife is very religious person and she was the one who suggested for us to come and attend this gathering and I feel blessed already,” he said.

Temple Secretary Bala Dass said this pooja attracts thousands of devotees to the temple offering prayers for the happiness and spiritual good of themselves and families.

“We have devotees coming in from all over the world just for this annual event, and it’s one of the most important prayer occasions celebrated in our calendar,” he said.

“Each day we get about 3000 people  at the temple, where members of the Dervasthanam board as well as kind donors dedicate their long hours of preparation to facilitate the huge number of people who will attend the pooja daily.”

It is believed that Goddess Parvati presented a lance to Lord Murugan to vanquish the demon army of Tarakasura and combat their evil deeds.

Therefore Thaipoosam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

Mr Dass added that being the largest Temple in the South Pacific, devotees come from all region as well.

He added the procession goes to villages and homes where devotees await with offerings.

The annual 10 days pooja started last Thursday and will end today.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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