PENANG, July 27 2026 – More than 350 devotees from across the Northern Region gathered at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple) on Sunday (26 July for Ottrumai Vel Arathanai 2026, a collective prayer organised by the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) Northern Region.

The 6pm ceremony, held in official partnership with Arulmigu Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam and the Malaysia Hindu Sangam Penang State Council, was to seek divine blessings for the upcoming 32nd Kalvi Yathirai.

Devotees from Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis, in traditional attire, took part in lamp-lighting, Vedic recitations and arathanai to Lord Murugan, led by the temple’s senior priests. 

Prayers were focused on the safety of yathirai participants, a meaningful and educationally impactful programme, community well-being, and the preservation of intergenerational Hindu values, under the theme of ottrumai (unity).

SMC Northern Region Co-Director Dr J.Sumathi said the turnout reflected the community’s commitment. 

“Today’s Ottrumai Vel Arathanai anchors the 32nd Kalvi Yathirai in divine grace and collective devotion. 

"This gathering reaffirms that the yathirai’s three-decade mission of education, service and spiritual growth is rooted in our unity,” Sumathi said.

Devasthanam chairman K. Kumarathiraviam said the hilltop temple, which has served Penang’s Hindu community for more than a century, was proud to host the event. 

“The devotion shown today has further sanctified these grounds. 

"We are confident the blessings invoked will guide every step of the 32nd Kalvi Yathirai,” Kumarathiraviam said.

A Malaysia Hindu Sangam Penang State Council representative said the ceremony demonstrated the impact of cross-organisational collaboration. 

“When institutions and the community unite in faith, we strengthen both our spiritual bonds and our capacity to advance the educational and moral development of our youth,” the representative said.

edited by:Muralitharan Ramachandran