GEORGE TOWN: Preparation to celebrate Thaipusam on Jan 18 in Penang is being carried out on a moderate scale following the Covid-19 pandemic and the spread of the Omicron variant.

       Nattukottai Chettiar Temple trustee Dr A. Narayanan said that in the past two weeks, six volunteers had been cleaning and polishing the 135-year-old silver chariot as well as installing lights and other decorations.

       “We have applied for permission from the authorities to allow only 100 people involved in the chariot procession, compared to over 10,000 before the pandemic.

       “This is to curb any risk of spreading the virus,” he told Bernama yesterday.

       Narayanan said the chariot procession will be held but limited to 100 devotees who have been fully vaccinated and who are required to register with the temple committee so that they can be given a special card for the ceremony.

       “So far, 89 devotees have registered with us and we hope each of them will comply with the stipulated standard operating procedure (SOP),” he stressed.

       Narayanan added that the silver chariot procession carrying the statue of Lord Murugan will begin its 9km journey at 6am on Jan 17 from the Nagarathar Kovil Veedu temple (temple house) and is expected to reach the vicinity of Nattukottai Chettiar temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga at 11am, involving seven location stops.

       Meanwhile, Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam (Hilltop Temple) chairman Datuk R. Subramaniam said the temple committee has already started preparations for the 24ft gold chariot procession two weeks ago.

       “Currently, 70% of the work has been completed. We are polishing the chariot besides putting up decorations such as flower garlands, decorative lights involving 20 individuals from the temple and volunteers,” he said.

       Subramaniam said that in terms of the SOP, the temple committee has applied for permission from the authorities as a measure to ensure the chariot procession goes smoothly.

       “For the gold chariot, we are limiting to 500 devotees and all of them must comply with the SOP, including being fully vaccinated and must register with the temple first,” he added.

       He said that according to the initial planning, the gold chariot procession will start on Jan 17 from Lebuh Queen to Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam temple at 8am, subject to the decision of the National Security Council which will be announced later.

       The over 100-year-old silver chariot and gold chariot processions that began five years ago are the culmination of the state’s three-day annual Thaipusam festival.

       The silver chariot ferries the statue of Lord Murugan, while the gold chariot will carry the golden “vel” or spear used by Lord Murugan to fight evil.