Besides this Procession; a homa, abhishekam and special puja will mark the Day. A display of how Goddess Durga killed Mahishasur will be organized and a “kummi dance” will be held exhibiting Durga’s victory, reports suggest.
Area Hindus will be celebrating Navaratri Festival with daily evening prayers from September 28 to October six. Starting with homa, abhishekam, and puja on September 28, Navaratri prayers will be held at the Amman Temple.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended the Hindu community in Miri for keeping the traditions alive and said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society.
Quoting scriptures, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested Miri and worldwide Hindu community: conquer your passions and senses; meditate; keep your heart pure and full of love; seek higher knowledge; and realize Self which is deathless, source of all light and knows all.
During popular autumn festival of Navaratri (nine nights), nine forms of Devi (Divine Mother) are worshipped and it represents celebration of Goddess Durga. It involves fasting, dances, prayers, worship, etc., and is a period of introspection and purification. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Miri, on the island of Borneo, is the birthplace of Malaysia’s petroleum industry, and is known for San Ching Tian Taoist Temple, nearby Gunung Mulu National Park and Petroleum Museum. It has a population of about 1,000 people of India descent and Selvaraj Grapragasem is the chairman of Miri Hindu Society. Lawrence Lai Yew Son is the Miri Mayor while Leonard Law Tiong Hang is Acting City Secretary.
