Hindu devotees throng hilltop temple to celebrate mini Thaipusam

The chariot procession to mark Chitraparuvam festival begins at Sri Maha Mariamman, Lebuh Queen in George Town. (April 15, 2022). — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Hindu devotees throng the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple as early as 5am on Saturday (April 16) to celebrate ‘Chithirai Pournami’ or Chitraparuvam Festival, in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Many devotees were seen carrying ‘paal kudam’ (milk offering) to the temple to fulfil their vows and there was one special kavadi that arrived around 10am.

The kavadi carrier, P. Kumaravelu (pic above), 42, a Singaporean, said since 2007, his wife V. Reavathiy and family friends always come to Penang to celebrate the festival, also known as Mini Thaipusam, but due to the pandemic, they had stopped for about two years.

He told Bernama that said they had charted a bus from Singapore this year to come here to fulfil their vows after the reopening of both countries’ borders.

"All 20 of us had arrived here on Friday morning and as a kavadi carrier, I have made some early preparations. I feel satisfied to be able to carry kavadi and fulfil my vows here in Penang after two years,” he told Bernama when met at the temple here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Hilltop Temple chairman, Datuk R. Subramaniam said devotees began to arrive at the temple as early as 5 am and many of them only carry milk pots to fulfil their vows.

He said until 1 pm, he was made to understand that about 50,000 devotees has visited the temple and in accordance with the SOPs.

"This celebration will give us a glimpse of how the actual Thaipusam would be and how we should be preparing to handle the large crowd,” he said.

He said the celebration on Saturday was smooth and safe as devotees did not gather and left immediately after fulfilling their vows.

Chariot procession

On Friday night (April 15), a chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street, Penang made its way to the Hilltop Temple to mark the celebration.

The festival was organised by the Hindu Mahajana Sangam where special prayers were held at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple commencing 8am before the chariot procession which was pulled by two bulls kicked off at 8.30pm.

Hindu Mahajana Sangam president Dr Chandra Malairaja said the statue of Lord Muruga was placed on the specially decorated chariot while devotees made offerings of fruits, coconuts and various coloured flowers.

He said the chariot made its journey from Queen Street to the Hilltop Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga via Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh King, Lebuh Bishop, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Victoria, Jalan Prangin, Jalan C.Y. Choy, Jalan Magazine, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Utama before reaching its final destination.

“The chariot reached the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple at about 4am on Saturday and made its stops at several small and big temples.

“There were special prayers held at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple to commemorate the Chitraparuvam Festival before Lord Murugan is to be carried around the temple on Saturday night,” said Chandra.

Deevotees offering their kids for blessing during the chariot procession in conjunction with the annual Chitraparuvam Festival at Sri Maha Mariamman temple at Queen Street in George Town. (April 15, 2022). — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

The chariot would leave the hilltop temple for its return journey at 8pm on Sunday (April 17) passing through Jalan Kebun Bunga, Jalan Gottlieb, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Anson, Jalan Burma, Jalan Transfer, Lebuh Dickens, Jalan Penang, Jalan Argyll, Jalan Transfer, Jalan Sri Bahari, Jalan Penang, Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Gereja, Lebuh Queen, Lebuh China, Lebuh Pantai, Lebuh Pasar and back to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.

However due to the new norm to curb Covid-19 transmission the chariot procession was held without refreshment stalls and coconut breaking ritual.