KUALA LUMPUR – The Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves here this year is a more hushed affair compared to when the festival was observed before the pandemic.
The smaller and more regimented crowd of devotees this year has resulted in a less hectic time for medical volunteers stationed at the grounds of the temple complex.
Suresh Murugesu, national commissioner of the Malaysian Indian Ambulance Volunteer Service (Mivas), said the group has been providing free medical assistance to Hindu devotees performing their vows at Batu Caves for three decades.
Despite the ban on kavadis and restriction on the number of devotees entering the temple grounds, Suresh and his team of volunteers will be operating there for 72 hours straight.
“For 30 years, our volunteers have served at Batu Caves during Thaipusam,” he told The Vibes.
"We don’t sleep for three days while volunteering. But I have to say the ceremonies here (today) are different due to the SOPs.
“During previous Thaipusam celebrations, we would follow the chariot for around 20 hours. This time, it took five.”
Mivas has 25 volunteers serving during the three days it is on duty here.
Given that 6,000 devotees are allowed into the Batu Caves temple today, the 25 volunteers are not enough.
Only 500 individuals are allowed to participate in each prayer session.
Suresh said other volunteers from the Red Crescent Society and personnel from the Health Ministry are also ready to help.
He pointed out that incidents will still happen during this low-key Thaipusam season, requiring his medical volunteers to provide support.
The rain yesterday saw the iconic 272-step staircase turn slippery, but fortunately there were no serious incidents.
“We did have many cases last night as the steps were slippery from the rain.
“Some devotees were carrying their paal kudam (ceremonial milk pots) up last night, and some incidents happened and we had to help.
“So far, none of the incidents we attended were very serious,” he said.
From his observations so far, devotees have been largely compliant with the strict standard operating procedures set by the National Security Council.
While devotees are allowed to carry their paal kudam up towards the main temple in the cave above, kavadi processions have been prohibited. – The Vibes, January 18, 2022
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