THE preparation to celebrate Thaipusam on January 18 in Penang is being carried out on a moderate scale in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Nattukottai Chettiar Temple trustee A. Narayanan said the 135-year-old silver chariot is undergoing cleaning and polishing as well as decorating in the past two weeks by six volunteers.

“This year’s Thaipusam will be celebrated in a moderate scale where we have applied for permission from the authorities to allow only 100 people to be involved in the chariot procession, compared with more than 10,000 before the epidemic.

“This is to curb any risk of spreading Covid-19,” he said in George Town today.

He said the chariot procession will be held but limited to 100 devotees who have been fully vaccinated. They are required to register with the temple committee so that they will be given a special card for the ceremony.

“So far, 89 devotees have registered with us and we hope they will comply with the stipulated standard operating procedure (SOP),” he said.

Narayanan said the silver chariot ferrying the statue of Lord Murugan will begin its 9km journey at 6am on January 17 from the Nagar Athar Kovil Veedu temple and is expected to reach the Nattukottai Chettiar temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga at 11am, with seven stops. 

Meanwhile, Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam (hilltop temple) chairman R. Subramaniam said the temple committee has already started preparations for the 24-feet gold chariot procession the past two weeks.

“Currently, 70% of the work is completed. We are polishing the chariot besides putting up decorations such as flower garlands, decorative lights. Twenty people from the temple and volunteers are involved,” he said at the temple in George Town.

Subramaniam said the temple committee has applied to the authorities such as the police and the People’s Volunteer Corps as a measure to ensure the chariot procession goes smoothly on that day.

“We are limiting to 500 devotees and all of them must comply with the SOP, including being fully vaccinated and must register with the temple first,” he said.

Subramaniam said according to the plan, the gold chariot procession will start on January 17 from Lebuh Queen to Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam temple at 8am, subject to the decision of the National Security Council, which will be announced later.

The silver chariot and gold chariot processions that began five years ago are the culmination of the state’s three-day annual Thaipusam festival.

The silver chariot ferries the statue of Lord Murugan while the gold chariot will carry the golden “vel” or spear used by Lord Murugan to fight evil.

Yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasay said only the “paal kudam” (milk pot kavadi) ceremony will be allowed at this year’s Thaipusam celebration in Penang, without other kavadi events, as well as head-shaving vows on temple grounds and coconut-breaking ceremonies.

Ramasamy, who is also the Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman, said the decision was reached after a meeting was held with National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique on Thursday.

Refreshment stalls (thaneer panthal) will not be permitted too, he said. – Bernama, January 8, 2022.