Gearing up for Thaipusam

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 09:27

Preparations are under way for the annual Thaipusam festival in Penang as thousands are expected to pay homage to Lord Muruga over the three-day celebration which begins on Feb 6.

Penang Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) executive director M. Ramachandran said trees along Waterfall Road were pruned, Gottlieb Road widened and a meeting with the panthal (refreshment stall) operators had been held to prepare for one of Penang’s biggest religious festivals.

“On Jan 18, we met with some 120 panthal operators to brief them on the preparations and regulations to follow.

“There’s not much change but we have about 10 new stalls participating this year,” he said.

He said the HEB also spent RM450,000 on 42 new toilets including two disabled friendly ones at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple compound on Waterfall Road.

“In addition, the Penang Municipal Council will provide seven mobile toilets along the road.

“Railings were also installed and the stairs leading to the hilltop temple were widened to make it easier for elderly devotees to make their way up,” he said, adding that work on the railings was completed last week.

“We expect everything to go smoothly but I hope that the public can give their full cooperation to prevent traffic congestion during the festival.

“Every year, the main problem is the traffic. Even if you have special car stickers to drive on the road, please only do so if it is absolutely necessary,” Ramachandran said on Thursday.

He urged motorists to adhere to traffic rules and not park their vehicles haphazardly.

“Last year, many were issued traffic summonses; so please be mindful of where you park. Be considerate and don’t obstruct other vehicles.

“Just park a bit further and walk. Most people want to park as near as possible to the temple; hence causing a congestion,” he added.

On Jan 11, an online blog and vernacular daily reported that with Thaipusam just weeks away, the HEB had yet to hold a meeting with some 300 operators of refreshment stalls to prepare for the key event.

The reports quoted refreshment stall operator Tharshana Rayer as saying that the meeting would typically have been called in December to enable elected representatives and HEB commissioners to address relevant issues including the duration of the chariot procession, the coconut-breaking ceremony, allocation of sites for refreshment stalls and voluntary assistance for the temples.

George Town Hindu Sangam Social and Welfare Committee chairman P. Murugiah lauded the HEB for doing a good job but said there was room for improvement.

He said members of the Hindu Sangam had been participating as volunteers of the Om Murugan Thannir Panthal for 35 years and were happy with the organisation of this year’s Thaipusam.

“I hope the relevant authorities can beef up enforcement on stalls selling alcohol and firecrackers.

He said: “Non-vegetarian stalls selling snacks like chicken nuggets shouldn’t be allowed and enforcement officers must ensure that the coffee shops along Gottlieb Road do not place chairs and tables in the car park because it jams up the roads.

“Also, it’s not right for them to be serving alcohol outside the shops during this time.”

He also urged the council to provide more big dustbins to cater to the large crowd expected.

Consumers Association of Penang education officer N.V. Subbarow called on the HEB to impose a fine on devotees who litter.

“Also, please don’t take more than you can eat from the refreshment stalls because it is wasteful,” he said.

Murugiah advised devotees and the public to “behave appropriately” as Thaipusam was a religious festival and not a “funfair”.

From The Star