I carried the paal kudam , a small pot of milk and climbed the 272 steps to reach to the caves. This is the first time in my life I had carried a paal kudam. In fact I only carried a small pot filled with about 0.75 liter of fresh milk. I also started carrying the paal kudam from the foot of the hill to the top. At first I put the paal kudam on my head and held it with my right hand. I felt is heavy on my head and was wondering how I am going to complete journey to the top of the hill. My cousin who came along with me suggested I put in on my right shoulder. I did so and found the paal kudam to be not so heavy.
I saw other devotees carrying kavadi but many carried the paal kudam. Parents were also carrying their newborn babies slung in a cloth-cradle hung on a pole shouldered at both ends by both the mother and the father as thanks for a safe birth.
Others shaved their head bald. I shaved my head bald for last year’s Thaipusam and then decided that I will carry the paal kudam as long as I am able to climb the steps. Batu Caves is the place I went to shave my head when my hair started dropping for during chemotherapy.
Most times I would be panting while climbing the steps but suprisingly on that day with minimum stops to catch my breath I completely the journey faster then before. I have also been a vegetarian for the past two weeks.
As I watched the milk that I carried being poured to the vel (lance) and offered my prayers, I was at peace as I have completed my vow and prayed I would have many years to carry paal kudam.
