No brisk business for coconut sellers this Thaipusam again

Surrendering one’s ego: A devotee breaking a coconut during the Thaipusam festival in this file photo. The coconut breaking ritual has been banned for the second year in a row this year due to the pandemic.

GEORGE TOWN: Coconut traders who used to see “smashing” business during Thaipusam have been hit hard for the second year in a row as there will not be any coconut-breaking ritual this year.

Under the new norm to curb Covid-19 transmission, the Thaipusam festival in Penang on Jan 18 will be held without refreshment stalls, kavadi-bearing rites as well as the coconut-breaking ritual during the chariot procession.