Batu Caves temple bans kavadis ‘too big’ or ‘unconventional’

In the name of faith: Hindu devotees walking up the Sri Subramaniam temple in Batu Caves. Many Hindus choose to do their rituals ahead of the Thaipusam day to avoid the massive crowd.

PETALING JAYA: Kavadis that are “too big” and those bearing banned symbols or items will not be allowed past the Batu Caves main entrance on Thaipusam Day.

The guidelines set by the Thai­pusam Task Force list the items ban­ned as knives, tridents and parang as well as durian, chillies and apples.

Also banned are football club logos and symbols of gangs and organisations.

Sri Maha Mariamman Devastha­nam Committee chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah urged kavadi-carrying devotees to follow the rules.

“Please do not think of bringing kavadis that are ‘unconventional’. Not only will it defeat the purpose of carrying the kavadi, it will simply be a source of entertainment for some.

“Remember what the act of carrying kavadi is for. It is to fulfil one’s vows, so take them in the name of Lord Muruga and for nothing else,” he said yesterday.

Work in progress: Thaipusam preparation along Jalan Utama in Penang.

Nadarajah also cautioned that huge kavadis may not get through the arches and entryways of the caves.

“Devotees may think they can carry these types of kavadis from the riverbank on the day, but we will stop them at the temple entrance,” he said.

He also discouraged devotees from piercing their bodies with safety pins, performing stunts, dancing with sharp objects, pulling chariots with hooks on their bodies, smoking cigars, walking on knives, whipping and carrying bottles containing alcohol.

Those following kavadi bearers are also urged to avoid using big drums, indulging in derogatory street and disco dancing and singing unsuitable songs.

In George Town, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Tem­ple in Jalan Kebun Bunga will continue to follow its regulations on the size of kavadis and piercing.

Hilltop Temple chairman Datuk R. Subramaniam said the ratha kavadi (chariot kavadi) should not be more than 2m tall and 1m wide.

He said the piercing on the mouth should not be longer than 1m.

“We only encouraged the use of paal kavadi (a small wooden or steel contraption with two containers of milk), mayil kavadi (peacock kavadi) and poo kavadi (flower kavadi) which are considered auspicious.

“However, the alagu kavadi (fan­cy kavadi) is still allowed but it should not be more than 1m.

“This type of kavadi needs to be dismantled at the foothill of the temple before the devotees bring up the milk to fulfil their vows,” he said yesterday.