GEORGE TOWN: Devotees braved the morning drizzle on Monday (Jan 17) to witness the golden and silver chariots departing an hour apart for the Thaipusam festival in Penang.

       The golden chariot left the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Queen Street at 6am Monday while the silver chariot left the Kovil Veedu (Temple House) at Penang Street at about 7am.

       Amid the heavy presence of enforcement personnel to monitor and enforce Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), hundreds of devotees swarmed the Little India area as early 5am to witness the placing of the vel (spear) on the golden chariot.

       The golden chariot made its way through town while towed by a buggy while the silver chariot was towed by two bulls.

       The golden and silver chariots are expected to reach the Arulmigu Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple and the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple respectively at around noon, way ahead of the time it would actually take before Covid-19 due to many rituals skipped to observe the SOPs.