King Cobra charms thousands

[Guest guest]

BY FREDERICK FERNANDEZ AND KHAW CHIA HUI

 

PUCHONG: Thousands thronged a humble-looking temple here after a

five-metre long King Cobra, which appears to be albino and had

coiled itself around the Amman deity at its main altar since Monday,

became the talk of the town.

 

The rare spectacle has attracted both the curious and the pious to

the 123-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple. The people were there

not only to catch a glimpse of the snake, but also to offer prayers

and " for good luck " .

 

The multiracial visitors comprised housewives, young girls and

office workers, among others.

 

 

RARE SIGHT: The King Cobra in front of the Amman deity at the main

altar of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Puchong Tuesday.

Some of the devotees offered milk, egg, flowers and even cash after

catching a glimpse of the snake and performing prayers at the

temple.

 

Tamilselvai Murugaian, 40, said she decided to have a look at the

snake as news about it was " hard to believe " initially.

 

" I've been here three times since Monday night. I saw its face and I

believe I will have some good luck, " she said.

 

Karen Toh said she rushed to the temple when she heard about the

snake from a friend.

 

" It's not every day that one gets to see something like this, " said

the 52-year-old, who was accompanied by her mother and sister.

 

K. Shanmuganathan believed that the presence of the King Cobra was a

sacred event.

 

" I personally believe that the snake was heading for the Sri

Nageswari deity statue but ended up around the Amman deity statue by

chance and decided to remain there to show its usits shakti (powers)

and remind us to remain steadfast in our faith, " he said.

 

M. Gopal, from Rawang, said some of the people were teary-eyed after

viewing the snake.

 

 

BE PATIENT, PLEASE: Devotees and the curious waiting for their turn

to catch a glimpse of the King Cobra at the temple Tuesday.

" This is expected as the King Cobra, and this being a rare one, is

depicted as a powerful animal in Hindu scriptures.

 

" Its presence in a place like this, which is surrounded by concrete

jungle, highways and vehicles, is probably a wake-up call for many

devotees, " said Gopal.

 

Goh Khoon Leong, a furniture shop owner and a Hindu, said:

 

" I didn't believe it at first but when I saw it, I believe there is

something spiritual about its unexpected presence at this temple. "

 

Sorna Kumari, a Form Five student from Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam,

said she took a taxi with two of her classmates to catch a glimpse

of the snake.

 

" My friends and I felt it was a worthwhile trip. We took the

opportunity to pray that we will all get through our SPM

examination.

 

" We also placed three bottles of milk as offering, " she said.

 

Source :

 

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?

file=/2005/9/7/nation/11968422 & sec=nation