Non Religious Emblems Forbidden In Penang Thaipusam

Devotees carrying kavadi bearing non religious emblems will be barred from entering the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple grounds in Penang on Thaipusam Day. Temple management committee chairman P. Kuvenaraju said although the committee did not have any power to stop such kavadi bearers as they make their way along the kavadi route to the temple on Waterfall Road, they would be stopped at the entrance to the temple. This is a religious festival and devotees are to observe the religious aspects of the festival. All kavadi's must reflect the Hindu religion and kavadi bearing non religious emblems or images will be prohibited from going up the hilltop temple. There had been cases over the past few years of devotees carrying kavadi bearing the emblem of English Premier League teams such as Manchester United and Liverpool. Hindu religious and cultural organisations had criticised the act as showing disrespect and reflected the ignorance of the devotees of the significance of the festival. Deputy Chief Minister (II) Dr P. Ramasamy, who is also Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman, told the press conference that thaneer panthal (refreshment stalls) operators had been urged to use biodegradable products when serving food and drinks. There will be 120 stalls serving free food and drinks this year and another 200 stalls selling souvenirs, handicraft and Indian sweetmeats. He said some 800,000 people were expected to attend the three day festival which begins on Jan 19 when a chariot procession bearing the statue of Lord Muruga leaves the Kovil Veedu (Temple House) on Penang Street at 6am. The procession is expected to reach the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple on Waterfall Road at 11pm the same day. Dr Ramasamy urged devotees carrying kavadi and paal kudam (milk pots) to reach the hilltop temple before 11pm on Thaipusam Day after which the temple will be closed. He also said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would join devotees in a walkabout at 5pm on Jan 19 and at the same time the next day. He urged buses carrying tourists and devotees from other states to park at a designated spot on Sepoy Lines Road while private vehicles could park on Jalan D.S. Ramanathan, Macalister Road and Brooke Road. He said ferry services would be extended to 24 hours on Jan 19 while Rapid Penang would introduce scheduled services. Residents and the disabled can collect free permits to enter the festival area three days before Thaipusam at the Pulau Tikus police station.