Rites of faith and penance

Ravichandran resting in front of a thaneer panthal along Jalan Utama before the final stretch of his pilgrimage to the temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.

THE indispensability of thaneer panthal (refreshments) stalls on Thaipusam became evident when kavadi bearers grew weary.

It was not only difficult to shoulder a large kavadi which can weigh over 30kg, many of them were built taller than 2m, making the weight unwieldy.