Devotees following the silver chariot along Chulia Street offer fruits and flowers to Lord Muruga. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT and ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
THE three-day Thaipusam celebration in Penang was a window into the rich culture of the state.
On the eve of the festival, the golden chariot, which carries Lord Muruga’s vel (spear) and the silver chariot, which carries the statue of Lord Muruga, started their journeys from their respective temples.
Volunteers preparing food packets for devotees in Jalan Datuk Keramat.
The golden chariot’s destina-tion was the Arulmigu Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, while the silver chariot headed to Nattukotai Chettiar Temple.
They were accompanied by Hindu devotees, many carrying trays of offerings like fruits and flowers for Lord Muruga.
A kavadi bearer receiving encouragement along the way.
The devotees also broke coconuts along the route as a cleansing ritual.
On Thaipusam day, thousands of kavadi bearers and pilgrims carrying milk pots thronged the temples to seek blessings or seek forgiveness.
Students from Norway among those watching a kavadi carrier stopping to drink water near the Muthu Mariamman Temple in Lorong Kulit. (
Along the route, thaneer panthals were set up to offer drinks and mooru − a traditional blend of yogurt, water, salt and spices − to devotees.
Devotees breaking coconuts along Jalan Datuk Keramat as a cleansing ritual during Thaipusam.
The day after Thaipusam, the golden chariot returned to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street while the silver chariot returned to the Nagarathar Kovil Veedu Temple in Penang Street.
