GEORGE TOWN: Continuing with an age-old tradition, the silver chariot bearing Lord Muruga, took to the streets here early this morning to mark the commencement of the three-day state-level Thaipusam celebrations, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unlike previous years where the chariot was met by thousands of devotees along the way, the silver chariot procession this time around was a quiet affair, involving a small group of the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple Trustees, and conducted under strict standard operating procedure (SOP).
It also took a much shorter route, leaving the Kovil Veedu located along Penang Street at 3.20am, towed by two bulls and accompanied by 10 temple committee members, and arriving at the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple along Jalan Kebun Bunga at about 5.45am.
Police personnel monitored the chariot procession along the way.
The chariot will make its journey back on Friday.
Thaipusam commemorates the day when, according to Hindu belief, the goddess Pavarthi gave Lord Muruga a lance to slay demons.
The state government had on Jan 8 announced that the annual Thaipusam celebration in Penang had been cancelled, with devotees told to stay at home to pray, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
However, the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple submitted a request to the state government recently requesting to conduct the chariot procession, after the National Security Council (NSC) gave its nod for the chariot procession in Batu Caves.
The state executive council was supposed to have deliberated on the request during today's meeting.
Yesterday, the Penang Hindu Endowment Board, led by Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy had again reiterated its earlier decision not to allow any chariot procession this year.
He had said that the decision took into account the safety of the people following rising Covid-19 cases at present.
However, it is learnt that the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple then sought federal intervention on the matter.
Ramasamy this morning took to his official Facebook page to question the unwarranted federal intervention on the Thaipusam celebration in Penang.