A quiet but joyful Thaipusam at 104-year-old temple

On guard: Police officers monitoring the Arulmigu Thendayuthapani temple in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: The roads along a century-old Hindu temple here are empty on Thaipusam day this year as devotees adhere to the movement control order.

For the first time in its 104-year-old history, the Arulmigu Thendayuthapani temple, like other temples here, had to call off its Thaipusam procession.

Temple president Dr C. Vatemalee said that while devotees were sad that they could not participate in the tradition, they had been cooperative and understood that such measures were needed to stem the spread of Covid-19.

“They are also sad as they could not enter the temple to pray on such an important day. We told them to pray at home and that we can celebrate it next year, ” he said yesterday.

He said some devotees had also dropped by the temple to give milk as an offering as well as to take a moment to pray outside the temple.

“Some stopped by but we did not allow them to enter the temple. They did not linger around for long.

“They just passed the milk or prayed outside for a few minutes before leaving the area, ” he said.

Dr Vatemalee said the pandemic has also affected the temple’s income.

“Thaipusam is normally an occasion for us to generate income to run the temple but this year we are unable to get any income. We expect to face a challenging time this year, ” he said.

Among devotees making a stop outside the temple to pray was housewife S. Bavani, 34, who came with her brother.

“We are sad that we cannot enter the temple and experience the Thaipusam procession as in previous years, but we understand.

“I keep reminding myself that it is alright to miss the celebration this year but hopefully, next year, we will be able to experience it again with double the joy, ” she said.

K. Sri Tharan, 27, said he passed by the temple just to hear the chants coming from inside of the building as he missed celebrating Thaipusam.

“I just want to hear the prayers coming from the temple to feel less sad about the situation and to get a sense of peace, ” he said.