Of late there has been a lot of allegations against the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) with regard to the Golden Chariot. Facts have been distorted and many have been gullible enough to fall for various messages spread via WhatsApp, etc.

There is nothing sinister about the PHEB having its maiden Golden Chariot to run along with the Silver Chariot. The Golden Chariot will carry the symbolic ‘Vel’ from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street on Feb 8, 2017 starting at 5am.

The practice of carrying the ‘Vel’ from the Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street to the Hill Top Temple is nothing new as it has been going on since many decades, but its mode of transport previously was by car and later lorry. Many people are not aware of this.

The practice of carrying out a ‘Vel’, also known as ‘Shakti Vel’, on Thaipusam day to the Waterfall Hill Top Temple signifies that ‘Goddess Parvathi’ (Amman), consort of ‘Lord Shiva” gave this weapon to Lord ‘Subramanian’ to defeat the Asuras (Demons). The PHEB is only enhancing its mode of transport into the Golden Chariot which will be pulled by volunteer devotees, giving the ‘Vel’ its due respect.

The Silver Chariot carrying ‘Lord Muruga’ from ‘Koil Vedu” to the Waterfall Chettiar Temple will go on as usual. The PHEB has asked the cooperation of the Chettiar community and don’t you think it will be such a beautiful sight to see the ‘Shakti Vel’ as the special weapon of Lord ‘Muruga’ in a Golden Chariot followed by the Silver Chariot with Lord ‘Muruga’.

As a commissioner of PHEB and in charge of the Sri Kunj Bihari Temple and on behalf all its devotees, I fully support the efforts of PHEB.

The chairperson of PHEB, YB Prof Dr P Ramasamy, has been carrying out the decisions of the board and asked the Chettiars for their cooperation. As such let’s all work towards a peaceful Thaipusam with its due glory.

As Penangites, let’s make the Thaipusam a celebration not only a religious one but also keep attracting tourists to this wonderful and meaningful event especially with the Hill Top Temple winning accolades from Trip Advisor, being one of the largest Murugan (Lord Balathanyuthapani) temples outside India.

MARKEND D JOSHI is a commissioner, Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB).