KUALA LUMPUR – Suffering from a rare genetic disorder for which he could find no effective treatment, R. Vigkneshwaran was left with no hope as doctors predicted he will become bedridden for life.
After a long search, the Ipoh lad took a vow to Lord Murugan for Thaipusam more than 10 years ago – and it turned out to be a life-changing experience.
The youngest of three siblings found his condition improving significantly in 2010, prompting him to first carry the kavadi during the festival the following year.
It became an annual affair. He has been carrying the kavadi for the journey from Arasamaram Vinayagar Temple to Kallumalai Murugan Temple in Ipoh ever since.
However, Vigkneshwaran will not be able to carry it this year due to the movement control order.
Like tens of thousands of devotees who look forward to the annual sacred festival, the 35-year-old, who works as a chief technology officer at an engineering consultancy firm, will instead perform prayers and meditate from the comfort of his home.
Vigkneshwaran’s story is emblematic of the spiritual experience undergone by many other devotees, whose lives have changed for the better due to their devotion and discipline.
He had been suffering from spinocerebellar ataxia, which affects the overall function of the cerebellum in the brain. It caused him to suffer loss of balance and coordination, as well as double vision.
“I first suffered from the condition when I was 17,” he recalled in an interview with The Vibes.
“At the peak of my affliction, I would lose balance and fall if I were to blink or close my eyes while walking. I had to rely on a friend, who would hold my shoulder while walking, to attend classes at UCSI University.
“Since there is no cure for this genetic disease, doctors told me I may be fully bedridden by the time I turn 21. It was heart-breaking, but my family and I refused to give up.”
He added that it took three years before doctors were able to diagnose his condition.
Vigkneshwaran is keen to carry the kavadi this year, but now looks forward to next year’s festival.
“I started my vegetarian diet since Ponggal (in mid-January), hoping that Thaipusam will be able to resume normally. However, it is not to be.
“Hopefully, I will be able to resume my vow under normal circumstances next year.”
His dedication stems from his miraculous rise from the ailment. He remembers that despite going through modern medication, it did little to ease his condition.
“I went for ayurvedic treatment, which made some difference but was not enough.
“Following that, I turned to God as a last resort. I became more religious and often went to temples, and prayed and engaged in meditation.
“At some point, I made a vow to Lord Murugan that I will carry the kavadi for him each year should he remove my affliction.”
Discipline in fulfilling a vow
In preparation to carry the kavadi during Thaipusam, Vigkneshwaran said he will adopt a strict vegetarian diet and fast for 48 days, walk barefoot to any location, may it be a shopping mall or workplace, and sleep on the floor every night.
“I also engage in deep meditation at least twice a day.”
He first took the “koodam mullu” (pot hook) kavadi in 2011 for five years, before switching to the “idumban” kavadi, which got its name from Idumban, a disciple of ancient sage Agastya, who is today considered a demi-god, and was the first devotee to carry the kavadi for Lord Murugan. This kavadi consists of a heavy wooden stick balanced by two milk pots.
“With the ‘koodam mullu’ kavadi, I had at least 281 hooks weighing almost 6kg hooked to the skin on my back. I also had my tongue pierced as I danced and chanted Lord Murugan’s name.”
Each time he takes up the kavadi, Vigkneshwaran admits that it is an “out of the body” experience, where he does not realise his actions, including the dancing and chanting, until after he has completed his routine.
“Once I start the ritual, I will go into a trance, and remember only flashes of what is going on. My friends and family will then recall my actions.”
He said despite showing no symptom of the disease for more than a decade now, and not going to follow-ups as often as he used to, he still advocates for people to seek modern medicinal treatment, instead of leaving it up to religious beliefs.
“In my case, without the aid of doctors, I would not have been able to find out what I was suffering from in the first place.
“However, keeping my faith in God over the years has improved my life for the better. So, find a balance in both.” – The Vibes, January 28, 2021
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