Ivory thaneer panthal a big hit

GEORGE TOWN: The Ivorycares thaneer panthal (refreshment stall) along Jalan Dato Keramat was a crowd favourite among Thaipusam devotees, serving up feel good vegetarian food and beverages.

The stall – set up by Ivory Properties Group Berhad's charitable arm, prepared meals for 2,000 devotees under a large canopy tent outside Penang Times Square.

A large Lord Ganesha statue made of polystyrene and fibre which were set up was also a big hit with many leaving offerings to the deity.

Besides food, entertainment in the form of a peacock dance, bommai dance (puppet dance) put a smile on many faces.

Also, a special lion dance troupe welcomed the chariot, a shining example of the mix of cultures as embodied in the heritage values of George Town.

The senior management of Ivory Properties and their staff smashed some 2,001 coconuts to make way for for the procession.

Ivorycares vice president Ann Tan said despite the price increase in food items and coconuts, the group still managed to raise funds to offer vegetarian food and drinks to more devotees this time around.

Tanjong member of parliament Ng Wei Aik and Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng were also present to join Ivory in offering fruits, flowers, incense and perfumed joss sticks to Lord Murugan.