PENANG Hindu Endowment Board chairman R.S.N. Rayer announced that one million Hindu devotees are expected to throng Penang from January 24 to 26 to celebrate the Thaipusam festival.

He added that this year will be different, as for the first time, both the gold and silver chariots will feature in the procession to the temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, signifying unity.

“This time, we are calling the festival the ‘Thaipusam of Unity’ because both chariots will move almost together, that is about 1km apart. We hope the procession will reach the temple by 11pm.

“We also will coordinate the procession to move at a faster pace as we do not want a repeat of what happened several years ago when the chariots reached the temple nearly 24 hours later,” he said after accompanying Human Resources Minister Steven Sim to the Kesuma Madani programme which in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebrations at the Waterfall Hill Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga today.

He said 150 “thaneer panthal” (refreshment stalls) or free food and drink distribution tents were also set up along the procession route.

Rayer said the golden chariot will move from the temple in Lebuh Queen at 5.30am on January 24 , followed by the silver chariot an hour later from the temple in Lebuh Penang before both chariots return to their respective temples on January 26.

Meanwhile, Rayer said Thaipusam is not only celebrated by Hindus but is also the focus of foreign tourists.

Accordingly, he asked those involved not to sully the religious celebration, such as drinking alcohol or lighting firecrackers.

“We also request motorists not to park their vehicles haphazardly as this could cause problems in case of an emergency or to use public transport because the government has had previously announced it will provide free bus and ferry services in conjunction with Thaipusam,” he also said.

Additionally, he suggested the use of face masks especially for those at high risk such as the elderly, and encouraged them to come early to perform the religious rituals. – Bernama, January 21, 2024.