GEORGE TOWN: Although the state government is going ahead with plans to hold a Thaipusam festival on Jan 18, some devotees are calling for the celebration to be put off this year due to the Omicron variant wave.
Housewife Malligah Ramachandran said it was illogical to carry on with the festival minus the kavadi.
“Why continue with such a ‘toned down’ festival with so many standard operating procedures (SOP)? In my opinion, the best thing is to take a break and have a full-fledged celebration next year,” said the 64-year-old.
A ban on the kavadi and thaneer panthal (refreshment stalls) for Thaipusam in Penang is among some of the changes being proposed this year.
Another change will be the golden chariot procession, which would only make a maximum of five stops with devotees carrying paal kudam (milk pots) from the vicinity of the temple.
Businessman R. Sathiaseelan, 64, also voiced his concerns about whether all the SOP would be adhered to.
“Even if the chariots make fewer stops, devotees would still converge at these stops with their offerings.
“Physical distancing will be hard to observe then.
“Controlling the crowd will be an arduous task and I hope the festival is held peacefully without any untoward incident.”
However, lawyer K. Kumarathiraviam, 43, said he has full confidence that the festival would be conducted in a peaceful manner with devotees following the SOP.
“PHEB (the Penang Hindu Endowment Board) made the right decision to have the festival this year, minus the kavadi and refreshment stalls as milk pot carriers will be able to perform their vows.
“Most people are fully vaccinated and although there is a surge of the Omicron variant, the festival will be able to run smoothly as people are mature enough to know the risks if the SOP are not complied with.”
PHEB chairman Dr P. Ramasamy said the SOP could be tweaked once they are announced by the Federal Government.
“We expect an announcement on the Thaipusam SOP tomorrow when the board holds its first meeting.”