GEORGE TOWN: About 225,000 litres of milk and 127 tonnes of smashed coconuts marked this year’s Thaipusam celebrations in Penang.
More than a million devotees and visitors took part in the event, which authorities described as orderly and safe.
The Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 5) that waste was disposed of according to public health guidelines.
Health authorities reported fewer medical incidents than in previous years, attributing the improvement to revised crowd routes around the temples.
Only a small number of devotees required hospital treatment and no deaths were reported throughout the celebrations.
PHEB said the police deployed more than 1,200 personnel to manage traffic and crowd flow during the peak period.
Free bus and ferry services helped ease congestion, with Rapid Penang shuttle services carrying close to 10,000 passengers.
The newer golden chariot led the procession from George Town towards the hill temples on Jan 31.
It was followed by the older silver chariot carrying the consecrated statue of Lord Muruga.
Thousands of coconuts were smashed in the path of the chariots to symbolise the breaking of the ego.
Penang Island City Council workers later removed approximately 127 tonnes of coconut waste following the procession.
