GEORGE TOWN, Jan 30 – The annual three-day Thaipusam Celebration had kicked off in George Town, Penang this morning with Golden Chariot and Silver Chariot processions had draw about thousand of devotees gathered together in Penang Street.
This is the second consecutive year of the dual golden and silver chariot processions. The golden chariot, which made its debut last year, left the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street at 5am.
It passed through Queen Street, Chulia Street, Victoria Street, Prangin Road, Magazine Road, Dato Keramat Road, Jalan Utama and Jalan Kebun Bunga heading to Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Hilltop).
Meanwhile, the silver chariot, pulled by bulls, left Kovil Veedu on Penang Street at 7.15am after the statue of Lord Muruga was placed on it. It follows the same route. Thousands of devotees followed the chariots by foot along the 8km route.
Both the golden and silver chariots are expected to reach the Waterfall Hilltop Temple and Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Waterfall Road by midnight. Thaipusam commemorates the day when, according to Hindu belief, the goddess Pavarthi gave Lord Muruga a lance to slay evil demons.
This year, a total of 160 ‘thanir panthal’ (refreshment stalls) including sales outlets were expected to operate on the day, as compared to 150 last year, while 400 colourful ‘kavadis’ bearers and 30,000 milk pot carried by Hindu devotees making their way to the temple.
A rare phenomenon during Thaipusam this year is the total lunar eclipse, know as the “blood moon”, which will bring prayers and rites to a halt at 6pm tomorrow. The temple’s main altar will open again at 6am the following day. The return journey will be on Thursday. — PN
