Editing Chitty (section)

==Religion==
[[Image:Sri Poyatha.jpg|thumb|[[Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple]] in [[Melaka]].]]
The Chitty are a tightly knit community of Saivite [[Hindus]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Shiv Shanker Tiwary & P.S. Choudhary|title=Encyclopaedia Of Southeast Asia And Its Tribes (Set Of 3 Vols.)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YdEjAQAAIAAJ&q=Encyclopaedia+Of+Southeast+Asia+And+Its+Tribes+(Set+Of+3+Vols.)|year=2009|publisher=Anmol Publications|isbn=978-81-261-3837-1}}</ref> worshipping in their three temples. Gods such as [[Ganesha]] and [[Shiva]] are worshipped in full gaiety. Hints of [[Taoist]] and [[Islamic]] influences are also evident in their religious rituals. As staunch believers of the Hindu faith, the 
Melakan Chitty community still upholds their religious ceremonies. They observe [[Deepavali]], [[Ponggal]], the Hindu New Year, [[Navratri]] and other traditional Hindu festivals that are celebrated by Hindu groups in Malaysia. However, the Chitty do not participate in [[Thaipusam]] at a grand level like most Hindu groups. During the month of May they have a similar festival to Thaipusam in their local temple called Mengamay. One celebration that is unique to the Chitty community is the Parchu festival. It is celebrated twice a year with Parchu Ponggal (Bhogi) observed the day before Ponggal in January and Parchu Buah-buahan during the fruit season between June and July.