Sacred duty: Nattukotai Chettiar Temple volunteers decorating the silver chariot at the temple along Jalan Kebun Bungah in George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The procession duration of the golden and silver chariots during the Thaipusam celebration in Penang should take only about 17 hours for the 9km stretch, compared to the 24 hours the two chariots took last year.
This is because the chariots will leave an hour apart, unlike last year when they were too close as they approached their respective temples about 500m apart, which was quite chaotic for the organisers and devotees.
The golden chariot will depart the Maha Mariamman Temple on Lebuh Queen at 6am on Feb 10 and arrive at the Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple along Jalan Kebun Bunga before midnight.
The 131-year-old silver chariot will begin its journey from the Nagarathar Kovil Veedu Temple in Lebuh Penang at 7am on Feb 10, and is expected to arrive at the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple, also located along Jalan Kebun Bunga, before midnight.
Devotees are urged to cooperate with the organisers and the authorities, especially for the coconut-smashing ritual.
“This year, we seek the devotees’ cooperation by breaking coconuts about a kilometre before the chariots reach them.
“This will give the city council workers ample time to clear the smashed coconuts for the chariots to travel smoothly,” said R. Arasu, committee chairman of Maha Mariamman Temple, which will bring out the golden chariot.
The goal is for both chariots to reach their respective temples by midnight on the eve of Thaipusam Day on Feb 11, so that other prayers can take place punctually.
The changes came about following the “united” Thaipusam move last year, when both chariots travelled in close proximity, leading to a major gridlock with the golden chariot reaching the Hilltop Temple and the silver chariot reaching the Waterfall Nattukotai Chettiar Temple at 5am.
The gridlock resulted in both chariots being on the road for almost 24 hours, and devotees were fatigued by having to wait several hours to perform their prayers when the chariots arrived.
Arasu added that the committee’s 70-member team will manage the golden chariot’s journey from Queen Street Temple to the Waterfall Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Murugan Temple as efficiently as possible without waiting for the silver chariot to catch up.The Nattukotai Chettiar Temple welcomed the move.
“Hopefully, it will smoothen the journey of the silver chariot which had its movement impeded when the golden chariot stalled at several spots last year.
“Last year, we had to push the ‘Maha Abishegham Pooja’ (main prayers before food is served to devotees) to 4pm on Thaipusam Day because the silver chariot had reached the temple only at 5am and we did not have enough time to hold the prayers at noon,” said the temple’s senior managing trustee Dr A. Narayanan.
Narayanan also urged refreshment stall volunteers to cooperate as the chariots would not be able to stop at all the stalls.
“It’s just not practical. A few stall operators who are close by could get together and offer prayers as the chariots arrive and this will help save time and smoothen the journey.
“Reaching the temple at midnight is our goal and hopefully we can make it this year,” he said.
The silver chariot was built in Karakudi, Tamil Nadu, India, and shipped to Penang in 1894 bearing the statue of Lord Muruga.
The golden chariot carrying the “Vel” or divine spear used by Lord Muruga made its debut journey in 2017.
