Resounding return after the quiet years

KUALA LUMPUR: The Thaipusam festival was held on a grand scale with iconic silver chariot processions across the country after two years of muted celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves here, thousands of Hindus were seen carrying kavadi and “paal kudam” (milk offerings) to pay homage to Lord Murugan.

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In SELANGOR, an estimated 150,000 Hindus thronged the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Kuala Selangor since Saturday, with the chairman of the temple P. Kannathasan saying the number increased by 30% compared to the last three years.

He said the temple had also given free food to visitors, thanks to public donations.

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In NEGRI SEMBILAN, president of Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple in Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban, R. Parameswaran, said thousands of devotees visited the temple, many of them carrying the paal kudam.

In PENANG, thousands garbed in bright orange-yellow to symbolise purity began arriving at Jalan Kebun Bunga as early as 4am, before it drifted 2km the Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Temple, the shrine at the base of a waterfall here.

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In KEDAH, Kuala Muda District police chief ACP Zaidy Che Hassan said the celebration at the Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam in Sungai Petani was incident-free, with 700 police officers assigned throughout Ops Palu in the Kuala Muda district. — Bernama