An estimated million people are expected to throng Georgetown this weekend for the four-day observance of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Penang.

The focal point will be the Waterfall area where the Thandayuthabani temple and the hilltop Balathandayuthabani temple are located.

thaipusam 210105 kavadi carrier Thaipusam, which falls on Saturday, will see devotees carrying various forms of kavadi   in penance or in gratitude for vows fulfilled. They will be joined by others who will walk up the steps to the hilltop temple to offer prayers.

The procession of the silver chariot, carrying the image of deity Lord Thandayuthabani, will begin at 6am on Friday. It will leave the Nagarathar community’s premises in Lebuh Penang and travel slowly for about 12km to reach the Thandayuthabani temple by midnight.

More than a million coconuts are expected to be smashed along the route, while several hundred tanneer panthal (refreshment stalls) will be set up to serve free food and drinks throughout the festival.

The celebration will conclude on Feb 1 with the return of the chariot to Lebuh Penang in an overnight trip starting at 6pm on Sunday.

Historical records reveal that the Penang Tamil Hindu community began observing Thaipusam - albeit in a modest way and within the Waterfall vicinity - in the 1820s.

In 1852, the Nagarathar community held a procession with a wooden chariot that was upgraded to the silver version in 1894.

No drama this year

The Registered Trustees Nattukottai Chettiar Temples Penang, a trust fund of the local Nagarathar community - bears responsibility for the smooth running of the festival.

penang thaipusam 170109 a narayanan Trust fund president Dr A Narayanan said he takes pride in the fact that the expenses of the procession are borne by the community itself.

He expressed relief that there has been no repeat of the problem that marred last year’s preparations.

The Penang Hindu Endowments Board, a statutory body, had contemplated ‘hijacking’ the route of the procession, but dropped the idea in the face of an anticipated backlash from Hindus.

Organising committee secretary N Ramanathan said the board has extended its cooperation to the community this year.

The festival, celebrated in a carnival atmosphere despite the pervasive religious fervour, is estimated to generate about RM35 million in business for the state.