PENANG wants the Thaipusam celebration tomorrow to be the greenest that the state has ever organised with emphasis on reducing the number of coconuts used during the ceremonial coconut-smashing and decreasing waste. Pilgrims and tourists are also encouraged to use public transport to commute to key gathering points.
As some one million people are expected to grace the thoroughfare towards the majestic Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, also known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) is paying more attention towards minimising crowding to allow better control and observance of the festival.
The procession of two chariots – the older Silver Chariot and the more recent Golden Chariot – is a key feature of the festival in Penang.
PHEB chairman RSN Rayer urged devotees to utilise the free public transport provided – from the 48-hour complimentary cross-channel ferries to public shuttle buses to various points along the route taken by the chariots.
Both chariots are fitted with a global position system (GPS) devices, which triangulate the exact location of the carriages during the procession.
This would enable real-time tracking of the chariots and crowds need not wait too long in the sun to catch a glimpse of them, said Rayer when contacted.
The complimentary transport services will begin at the stroke of midnight on Thursday and last till Friday with some services extended until Saturday if there is demand.
Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has reminded devotees to break lesser coconuts this year since the fruit is not as readily available as before due to climate change.
Its education officer N.V. Subbarow said that a random survey by CAP showed that there is less coconut supply this year.
Harvesters in Perak have claimed that the trees are bearing less fruit this time. They believe that the extreme weather condition could be one of the important factors.
"The money used for breaking coconuts can be channelled to fulfil the needs of a fraction of the Indian community, especially the B40 people,” said Subbarow.
The ceremonial breaking of coconuts is an auspicious cleansing ritual practised by Hindu devotees.
It is a symbolic representation of surrendering one’s ego at the feet of God which is done with full determination and devotion.
The fractured coconuts are then collected and the flesh either eaten raw or used for cooking.
"Coconut is used in every Hindu religious ceremony due to its high level of nutrients," said Subbarow.
Contrary to the popular notion that the coconut has a high level of cholesterol, Hindus use coconuts in their cooking as well as in treating a variety of ailments, Subbarow explained.
Many devotees, particularly from other communities, are ill-informed of the reasons behind the coconut- breaking ceremony, he said.
"They think that the more coconuts they break the more luck is showered on them. They break thousands of coconuts every year which ultimately end up in the landfills and are burned. Eventually it leads to fumes that pollute the environment.”
The price of coconut is also expected to increase during Thaipusam.
The previous market price of coconut was RM1.60 per fruit.
During Thaipusam, the price is expected to increase to between RM2.20 and RM2.50, Subbarow said. – The Vibes, January 24, 2024.
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