Press Reports
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, August 4, 2003: The annual Kalvi Yathrai (education pilgrimage) jointly organized by the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) and the Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil Devastanam was held on the August 3, 2003, at the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniamswami Temple in Kuala Lumpur. Some 300,000 people comprising students and their families gathered at the foot of the 272-step Batu Caves temple (well known among Malaysians for its Thaipusam festival) since early in the morning to observe the pilgrimage. Participants started off with a mass meditation and prayer session. Included in the session was motivational talks given by students and SMC directors, including its founder, Dr. M. Thambirajah. The participants climbed the 272 steps up the hill to pay homage to Lord Muruga. SMC co-director L. Krishnan said that their main objective is to increase the number of Indian intellectuals in Malaysia by producing high academic achievers. Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Veena Sikri and National Land Finance Co-operative Society chairman K. R. Somasundram attended the event.