GEORGE TOWN: Coconut traders who used to see “smashing” business during Thaipusam have been hit hard for the second year in a row as there will not be any coconut-breaking ritual this year.

       Under the new norm to curb Covid-19 transmission, the Thaipusam festival in Penang on Jan 18 will be held without refreshment stalls, kavadi-bearing rites as well as the coconut-breaking ritual during the chariot procession.

       Coconut seller M. Joel Jeyachandran said traders had already predicted there would be no breaking of coconuts when talk of a “toned down” Thaipusam was floated two months ago.

       “Not holding Thaipusam in 2020 cost us around RM200,000 in sales as we supplied around 100,000 coconuts for the festival,” said Joel, who expects to lose yet another chance to make RM200,000 this year.

       “Thaipusam is big business for coconuts. We hope things will be back to normal for the festival next year,” he added.

       Another trader, A. Loganathan, estimates he has to forgo around RM100,000 this year.

       “While we anticipated this, it is still a lot of money to lose,” he said.

       Loganathan supplies around 80,000 to 100,000 coconuts for Thaipusam annually.

       Penang announced a toned-down Thaipusam celebration, with only 1,000 registered devotees following the golden chariot with five stops (only at temples) along the route of the procession.

       Anyone else trying to follow or greet the chariot will be contravening the standard operating procedure (SOP).

       Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman Dr P. Ramasamy said the proposed measures have been forwarded by the state to the National Security Council (NSC) for approval.

       Ramasamy, who is also Deputy Chief Minister II, said the state would only focus on the procession of the golden chariot while arrangements for the older silver chariot would be handled by the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple.

       He said while there will not be thaneer panthal (refreshment stalls), kavadi-bearing, coconut-breaking and shaving of heads, the carrying of paal kudam (milk pots) will be allowed.

       “I urge devotees to do Covid-19 self-tests before they go to the temple for Thaipusam,” he said.

       Sree Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple committee chairman Datuk R. Subramaniam said only fully vaccinated devotees will be allowed to carry milk pots in the chariot’s procession.

       “They must register themselves using cellphones as only 500 people are allowed into the hilltop temple at any one time,” said Subramaniam during a press conference by Ramasamy at Komtar here yesterday.

       Subramaniam reminded all devotees to have their phones ready with the MySejahtera app with proof of their vaccination status, while those without smartphones must show their vaccination cards.

       He also appealed to the elderly who are unable to endure long queues to stay at home.

       Nattukotai Chettiar Temple, which runs the silver chariot, said it is waiting for the Thaipusam SOP which is expected to be announced this coming Monday.

       “We plan to only allow seven stops with 100 registered devotees with badges for the silver chariot procession during the festival,” said temple managing trustee Dr. A. Narayanan.