GEORGE TOWN: Essential items for Thaipusam, such as milk pots, coconuts and the distinctive yellow garb, are in sufficient supply this year, with no major hike in prices.
In Little India, a sundry shop has been decked with all things Thaipusam, including milk pots of various sizes, poo koodai (flower basket), prayer paraphernalia, silver Vels, milk cartons, and even ready-made kavadis.
Its managing director S. Patmanathen said the prices of the items from India have gone up slightly due to the currency exchange.
“It has increased only by a few percent. We have six different sizes of milk pots.
“We do have brass ones, too, which are heavier and more costly.
“We also have the silver Vel used to pierce the tongue, and most of the pricing remains the same as last year,” he said.
Patmanathen said they have ready-made kavadis made locally that are quite popular with both adults and children.
“Some buy it and add their own decorations, which we do offer as well,” he said, adding that they also sell flower baskets.
Clothing shop owner MP Alagarsamy, 81, said they were offering yellow garments, including tops for both men and women, and veshtis for men.
“They are imported from India for both men and women.
“This year, business is a bit slow, but this is probably because many shops are selling the same yellow garments, which means there will be competition.”
Meanwhile, M. Joel Jeyachandran, who has been supplying coconuts to devotees during Thaipusam the past 20 years, said he has prepared 80,000 coconuts for the festival this year.
“As things are back to pre-pandemic times, there is a demand for coconuts.
“We have regular customers who have already placed orders with us.
“Right now, we have orders for 50,000 coconuts, and we expect more to come next week,” he said.
Joel said the price of coconuts this year remained the same, at RM1.90 each.
“This is the normal price, the same as last year. If they order in large quantities, then we offer discounts.
“Usually, people order 100 coconuts to fulfil their vows,” he said.
This year, Thaipusam falls on Jan 25, with coconuts usually broken during the journey of the chariots to and from the temples on the eve and the day after the celebration.
