GEORGE TOWN: Devotees braved the morning drizzle on Monday (Jan 17) to witness the golden and silver chariots departing an hour apart for the Thaipusam festival in Penang.
Wednesday, 27 Jan 2021 09:16 AM MYT
BY OPALYN MOK
Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy (second from right) during a visit to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in George Town January 26, 2021. Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on news you need to know.
GEORGE TOWN, Jan 27 Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy has called on the authorities to take firm action against the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple committee for ignoring state orders and carrying out the Thaipusam silver chariot journey at 3am today.
He accused the Chettiar temple committee of openly defying the state government, the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) and various government agencies that forbade the annual chariot procession for Thaipusam this year due to the current Covid-19 lockdown.
GEORGE TOWN: The Silver Chariot has reached the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple at 6am on Wednesday (Jan 27) after it left the Kovil Veedu on Penang Street at 3.30am.
According to sources, an 11th hour decision was made possible due to the intervention of Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
However, there was no procession but the chariot was accompanied by about 10 people.
Nattukotai Chettiar Temple trustee Dr. A. Narayanan said a last-minute appeal to Saravanan made it possible.
“We thank him and may God bless him,” said Dr Narayanan.
The chariot journey continues an unbroken 164-year tradition, having gone through world wars, the Japanese occupation, the communist insurgency, and now, the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, 13 Jan 2021
S. Chandran (right) carrying sugarcane that he bought from Anbukarasan (wearing cap) at Little India. Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
WITH Ponggal taking place tomorrow, Little India in Penang was bustling with customers rushing to buy sugarcane and claypots to celebrate at home.
Trader Tamilarsi Subramaniam was busy trying to sell all the 2,000 sugarcane stalks and 500 claypots in her shop before the latest movement control order came into effect.
“We will first sell to walk-in customers. Then we will put the balance of items in lorries and go around housing areas in George Town to sell off at low prices, ” said Tamilarsi at her shop in China Street.