GEORGE TOWN – Some 1.5 million Hindu devotees and tourists from within the country and abroad are expected to throng Penang next weekend for the annual Thaipusam celebrations.
Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthabani Temple chairman Datuk Seri P. Kuvena Raju said the festival was held on a small and moderate scale for the last two years to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“We expect a big turnout of 1.5 million devotees for the three days as we expect more people will want to fulfil their vows since it was disrupted for the past two years, so it will be a challenge for us to conduct the festival in the best way.
“This year, Thaipusam falls on the weekend, while Monday will be a public holiday. We do expect devotees from Medan, Jakarta and Singapore to participate in the Penang procession. In the past, we even got devotees from London,” he told Bernama.
The golden chariot procession, he said, will start as early as 6am on February 4 at Lebuh Queen and is expected to arrive at Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam Temple at midnight at the earliest depending on the traffic congestion.
Kuvena also advised the people to act thoughtfully and responsibly so that the celebration can go on well.
“The best is to follow the rules and not litter. We have provided enough places to dispose of rubbish,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nagarathar Thanduthabani Temple trustee A. Narayanan said the procession of the silver chariot, bearing the idol of Lord Murugan, will begin at 7am at Nagarathar Kovil Vidu Temple, Lebuh Penang, and is expected to reach the Waterfall Temple grounds at 1am or 2 am.
“This year we expect a much larger crowd due to the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years and we are prepared to meet the crowd.
“After the procession, the silver chariot is expected to return to the temple at Lebuh Penang on February 6 around 8am. Everything should go well and we are expecting the public to cooperate,” he said. – Bernama, January 29, 2023
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