This was the first Deepavali, without my Pappa. In fact we are not celebrating Deepavali this year, since it has not been a year yet, since my Pappa's passing. Amma did not want to be at home during Deepavali, neither were we, it was indeed too soon, too much of a memory to bear.
So we decided to go to Melaka, not too far, just did not want to get caught in the long weekend traffic, which has become a norm in Malaysia.
This morning was like any other typical morning but woke up in Melaka. Got up, had bath, minus the oil bath ritual of Deepavali. We can't perform nor carry out any of the Deepavali tradition, including making murukku or any other sweet meats that requires frying during the bereavement period.
Nevertheless, performing prayer at the temple was not a problem, hence Amma, Greeja, Dhivyaa and I prepared to go to an Amman Temple. I wanted to experience the traditions practised by the Melaka Chitti (Melaka Indian Pernakan) community. So we decided to head to the Melaka Chitti village where the Anggala Parameshwari Amman Temple was located. It has been a tradition back in Segamat, we visit the Amman temple to offer prayers and seek blessing from Mother Shakti, in the morning of Deepavali. So visiting the Anggala Parameshwari Amman Temple felt like continuing this tradition.
We had a warm welcome at the temple by the temple President and members of the Chitti community who were already congregated there. They instantly knew that we were not locals. They even offered Amma a chair to sit on during the Pooja, but Amma politely declined it.
Greeja and I had this serene feeling as we entered this unconventional temple. Why unconventional because the temple architecture did not fit the traditional Indian Temple architecture. In fact the entire structure is like a 17th century Portuguese architecture, And yes, but why not? According to the Temple president, it is estimated that the building was built in 1720, by the Melaka Chitti community.
If you are wondering who are the Melaka Chitty's (not to be confused with the Chettiyaar community), they are also known as the Melaka Indian Peranakan. They are Indian's who have intermarried local Malays and arriving Chinese who had settled in Malaya during the early 15th century, when Melaka (Malacca) was under the reign of the Melaka Sultanate and later the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. They are a unique community, in that they had assimilated Malay culture but are Hindus by religion.
Language , food and dressing are very much elements that have been synergized with the Malay value system, For example, the Chitty language also known as Chitty Creole is the culmination Malay, Tamil and Chinese. The community was at its peak during the Portuguese era, but during the British colonisation, many went into agriculture. The Chitty community mainly resided in the area between Gajah Berang and the Tranquerah locality in Melaka.
The temple President gave us a short history of the temple and the community that has been the guardian of 5 other temples in Melaka together with 13 other shrines called Grama Kovil (Village shrines) in Melaka.
A single temple priest rotates in performing pooja for the 3 temples within the Chitty Village, and we had to adjourn to the Kailasanathar Temple (Shiva Temple) to give our offering (Archanai). All 3 temples including the Muthu Mariamman Temple are located just about 50 meters of each other.
Since it was Deepavali after our prayer offering, we were feted with Kesari (semolina sweet meat), idli with chutney & sambar, and coffee.
Though we did not celebrate Deepavali this year but, the very fact we went to this temple somehow made us feel complete. The serenity of the temple, the warmth of the people made me feel a sense of belonging, and somehow eased the pain of missing my Pappa.
Greeja and I would definitely make the trip to Melaka on April, 30th next year to particapate in the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple annual festival, which would see the procession of their 300 year old wooden chariot.
As much as this year's Deepavali was not celebrated by our family but the spirit of Deepavail prevailed in our psyche.
Whether it was celebrated because of the victory of Rama over Raavana, Krishna & Satyabhama over Narakasura or even the triumph of Vamana over Mahabali, the message is the same, Deepavali is a festival to reflect on one's own ego and arrogance, transforming the mind and body to be righteous.
Pappa had left us with profound wisdom, and great memories, I fervently believe the next generation in the family whose lives Pappa had impacted would continue the legacy he left behind.
ravivarmmankkanniappan@1738241020222.1896° N, 102.2501° E
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