On Sunday, April 16, 2017, Tamil Hindus in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, celebrated Maha Puja Pangguni Uthiram or Thaipusam. In celebration of the day of the victory of the Muruga God, the believers perform a number of rituals and offer prayers.
Around 40 of the Tamil Hindus who attended the thaipusam celebrations brought the statue of the god Muruga. They walked barefoot to the Palani Andewar Temple, Banda Aceh City.
The pastor at Shri Palena Andewar Temple, Radha Krishna, said in the celebration that ethnic Hindus prayed, such as a prayer of kindness for the elderly, healing from illness, and asking for the economy to increase.
According to Radha, religious tolerance in Aceh is quite good. Until now, they have not even experienced a clash with the community even though ethnic Tamils are a minority. Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that implements sharia law.
In the celebration of thaipusam, also seen barongsai played by ethnic Chinese community in Aceh Province. Collaboration shows the diversity of religions and cultures that live in Aceh Province.
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