protocol, ” he told a press conference in front of the police`` thaneer panthal’’( refreshment stall) set

GEORGE TOWN: More than a century ago, when the Thaipusam festival first took root in Penang, wealthy businessman Gurusamy Chettiar decided he would help feed the hundreds who trekked from Little India in George Town to the Waterfall Hill temple to fulfil their vows.He set up a roadside hut at Jalan Datuk Keramat where his family lived, offering food and drinks to those who passed by. Now, more than 100 years later, his descendants are continuing with the tradition, offering free vegetarian food

GEORGE TOWN: The standard operating procedure( SOP) for the upcoming Thaipusam festivals next week will be finalised soon, said state police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain. Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the SOPs would be finalised and announced by related agencies and hope everyone, especially the devotees would comply with the SOP in effort to prevent Covid 19 outbreak." The police will work with the temple management committee so that SOP will be complied by all parties," he said during a

GEORGE TOWN: This year, more than one million people are expected to gather at the three-day Thaipusam celebration, as many will come from near and far to fulfil their vows. Penang Hindu Endowment Board( PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer said this would be the" Unity Thaipusam" year, where both chariots come together to draw in the crowd." Thaipusam not only draws in the Hindu crowd but also the Chinese community and tourists." Many come to witness the celebration and take part in the prayers." This year

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