All set: (From left) M. Prasad, V. Vimalan, Vajanthan, T. Ramesh, R. Arun Kumar and A. Muruga posing for a photograph after putting the finishing touches on the chariot kavadi in Bayan Lepas, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Pulling a three-tonne ratha kavadi is no feat for the faint-hearted, but a family of five is set to undertake the gruelling journey as an act of thanksgiving.
Businessman S. Vajanthan, 50, said he and his family will tug the 5.6m-tall chariot kavadi called the Om Sri Rajaganapathy Chariot.
It features a large Ganesha statue at the centre, along with Murugan and other deities. There is also a large wooden gopuram (tower), chakras (wooden wheels) and a water feature designed to resemble milk being poured onto a vel (spear).
The 12-hour journey, said Vajanthan, will begin at 9am tomorrow from the Nagarathar Sivan Temple in Jalan Datuk Keramat and end at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple) in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
To prepare spiritually and physically, Vajanthan said the family observes a 48-day strict vegetarian diet, and focuses on remaining calm and centred.
“We will tug the chariot using hooks attached to our backs, with small silver pots filled with vibuthi (sacred ash) hooked all over our bodies. Our foreheads, tongues and cheeks will also be pierced.
“Maintaining inner peace and physical fitness is crucial, especially as we expect a large crowd of devotees this year.
“Adding to the strain, our ratha kavadi has wooden chakras, which make it harder to tug,” he said when met at his home in Bayan Lepas on Thursday.
Vajanthan said the experience was also about family unity and gratitude.
“We want to give thanks for good health and a good business year,” he said, adding that preparations for the ratha kavadi began last year, with most components, including the statues, commissioned from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India.
He said the ratha kavadi is constructed from wood, steel plates, aluminium and iron bars, while the idols are made of clay and fibre.
Meanwhile, the movement of the golden chariot leading the Thaipusam procession today will be tracked live using an upgraded GPS platform.
Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer said the enhanced Pantau 3.0 web application would allow devotees and the public to monitor the golden chariot’s progress in real time throughout the procession.
“Pantau 3.0 enables precision geospatial tracking of the golden chariot along the entire route, giving devotees better situational awareness while helping authorities manage crowds more effectively,” he said at a press conference in Little India yesterday.
Rayer said Pantau was developed under the Penang Digitalisation Initiative and was first introduced during Thaipusam in 2024.
He said the improved Pantau 3.0 has a refreshed interface and enhanced functions, including high-definition live surveillance streaming at the temple’s main entrance, predictive arrival analytics based on historical data, and dynamic traffic intelligence with real-time road closures and alternative routes.
“The system also integrates live updates on free shuttle bus and ferry services, allowing devotees to better plan their journeys during the festive period,” he added.
For the procession, Rayer said the golden chariot will lead ahead of the silver chariot.
“The scheduled departure is at 6am from the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Lebuh Queen, although we may depart earlier at 5.30am to arrive at the Waterfall Hilltop Temple earlier than in previous years,” he said.
Travelling in tandem behind the golden chariot will be the silver chariot, which will depart from the Kovil Veedu Temple in Lebuh Penang for Nagarathar Nattukottai Chettiar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
On Thaipusam day tomorrow, Rayer said kavadi bearers are expected to reach the temple by midnight.
“All 175 thanneer panthal stall operators have agreed to work together to ensure bearers can pass through smoothly,” he said.
The public can track the golden chariot managed by PHEB via the Pantau Golden Chariot Tracker 2026 website, while the movement of the silver chariot, managed by Nattukottai Chettiars, can also be tracked online.
