The pandemic has held back many festivities in Malaysia and to be frank, we don’t see things going back to normal anytime soon. That being said, the government has recently announced to cancel all Thaipusam celebrations and procession in Penang. The festival is set on 28 January 2021, which falls within the implementation of the ongoing MCO 2.0.
Celebrations and Procession of Thaipusam in Penang is Cancelled This Year:
Thaipusam is widely celebrated by the Hindus and is one of the major festivities in Malaysia. Also a major tourist attraction, Thaipusam in Penang alone draws more than 500,000 people from all over world each year.
With the spike of COVID-19, our country is forced to put under another lockdown. The festival, which falls within the MCO 2.0, will have to cancel its usual three-day celebrations.
Penang, for the first time in about 150 years, will not have any chariot procession, kavadi, thaneer panthal (refreshment stalls) and carrying of paal kudam (milk pots) along Jalan Utama to the temples in Waterfall Road.
Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman Dr P. Ramasamy said all devotees would be barred from the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple and Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Waterfall Road on Jan 27 and 28.
Devotees will have to pray at home to prevent new cluster due to the festival. He added that only committee members can attend the prayers at both temples to carry out the traditional Thaipusam rituals.
Foodies, have you attended the Thaipusam celebrations in Penang before? It truly saddens us that we won’t get to celebrate the festival this year. It is a huge part of Penang’s culture, but we’ll have to do what it takes to fight the pandemic. Let us all stay strong and pull through this together. That’s all, stay home and stay safe, buh bye!
Source: The Star
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