Thaipusam
Thaipusam is celebrated at
Thannirmalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple
in George Town. It is one of the main events in Penang. On the eve of Thaipusam,
a silver chariot with the statue of Lord Muruga is led on a procession,
accompanied by Chettiar kavadis or devotees, carrying peacock feathers.
The procession usually starts at 6.00am departing from Kovil Veddu (Temple
House) at Market Street and travelling through Chulia Street, Victoria Street,
Prangin Road Ghaut, C.Y. Choy Road, Magazine Road (KOMTAR), Datuk Keramat Road,
Irving Road, Jalan Utama and Waterfall Road on its route.
It reaches the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple at Waterfall Road at about midnight,
culminating a 15-hour journey. On the eve day, coconuts are smashed on the roads
before the chariot to symbolise the shattering of one's ego in the pursuit of
self-realization. In addition, devotees also make offerings of fruits, flowers
and incense to the Lord Muruga in the Silver Chariot. On Thaipusam day, devotees
undertake a pilgrimage from the Lorong Kulit Temple to the
Thannirmalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple.
It is located high on a hill. Carrying kavadis can be an act of penance or
fulfilment of a vow done to develop spirituality. The kavadis can take the form
of Paal Kudam (milk pots) as offerings to god or in the form of physical
endurance by piercing the cheeks, tongue, or skin on the body with hooks and Vel
skewers. The Thannirmalai Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple can accommodate up
to 700,000 devotees for the annual Thaipusam Festival. Devotees need to climb
over 500 steps to reach the hilltop temple. This is more than the 272 steps at
the famous Batu Caves (Kuala Lumpur).
Upon reaching the temple, devotees will fulfill their vows, offer thanksgiving
prayers and penance to Lord Muruga.On the next day, the silver chariot with Lord
Muruga makes a return trip to Kovil Veedu at Market Street from the Nattukottai
Chettiar Murugan Temple.
The return trip from the Waterfall temple lasts from 6.00 pm until dawn the next
day. It takes a different route back, passing through Waterfall Road, Gottlieb
Road, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Cantonment Road, Macalister Road, Anson Road,
Burmah Road, Transfer Road, Sri Bahari Road, Penang Road, Campbell Street,
Buckingham Street, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling, Chulia Street, Queen Street,
China Street, Beach Street and Market Street. On this day, the same activities
that were carried out on the eve of Thaipusam are carried out again along the
route of the procession.
During this three-day celebration, one can find over 100 beautifully decorated
stalls erected along Western Road and Gottlieb Road. These stalls sell
traditional Indian goods, souvenirs, decorative items and snacks and
refreshments. Thunderous loud music, singing, dancing and the beating of drums
can be seen and heard from afar throughout the festival. This is a festival of
rich culture and deep tradition in Penang.
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