1.5 million expected for Thaipusam at Batu caves
Monday, January 29, 2007
MORE than 1.5 million people, among them foreign tourists, are expected to converge on the Sri Subramaniam Temple grounds in Batu Caves here on Feb 1 for the Thaipusam festival which coincides with Federal Territories Day.
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Committee President R Nadarajah said the temple in Batu Caves was preparing for a record turnout of people.
"Feb 1 is also Federal Territories Day (and a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan) and we expect an overwhelming crowd of about 1.5 million people during the celebration," he told Bernama yesterday. Thaipusam is a public holiday in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Penang and Perak.
Nadarajah said that for the convenience of visitors, the temple management and several factories and associations are setting up "Thannir Panthal" (stalls providing free food and drinks) within the Batu Caves temple compound.
"There will be also be more than 500 stalls which will be selling items necessary for the devotees on Thaipusam Day itself," he added.
Nadarajah said more than 10,000 people were expected to carry the "kavadi" to fulfil their vows. He said "kavadi" bearers would not be allowed to carry machetes, smoke cigars or smear their faces with "kungumam", a red powder used to dot the forehead, because such action was not in keeping with Hinduism.
"Any kavadi which does not follow the specifications as stipulated will not be allowed to enter the compound of the Batu Caves Temple," he said.
He also said that devotees would not be allowed to burn camphor in front of the statues of the deities or in the cave, adding that they would only be allowed to do so at a designated area.
Asked about plans to upgrade and improve the organisation of the Thaipusam festival, Nadarajah said the temple management was in the midst of talking to the police and the Selayang Municipal Council to allocate about 3,000 parking bays for devotees coming to the Batu Caves temple for Thaipusam.
"This year, we have nothing new but the temple management is planning to have a gold-plated chariot for next year's Thaipusam festival.
"And, of course, the temple committee will be having a massive fireworks display as usual Jan 31, which is the eve of Thaipusam.
"In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007 also, we are planning to indicate the names of all the Hindu deities at Batu Caves for the tourists to identify them (deities) easily.
"We receive numerous complaints from the tourists who cannot identify who the deities are," said Nadarajah.
He also said that after the Thaipusam celebration, he is planning to meet Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to discuss more about programmes which can attract tourists, especially to Batu Caves.
Nadarajah denied a Tamil newspaper report that Batu Caves has allocated a large piece of land to build a cultural centre.
"Currently, we have limited land to start a new project and how can we build a large cultural centre like that," he said.
Meanwhile, Rescue 991 Captain V K Naidu, said his 50-member rescue team will be providing assistance to devotees from the eve of Thaipusam to Feb 3, in the form of first aid and rescue services. Thaipusam will start with the chariot carrying the Murugan deity going in procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple to the Sri Subramaniam Temple.
Bernama
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Committee President R Nadarajah said the temple in Batu Caves was preparing for a record turnout of people.
"Feb 1 is also Federal Territories Day (and a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan) and we expect an overwhelming crowd of about 1.5 million people during the celebration," he told Bernama yesterday. Thaipusam is a public holiday in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Penang and Perak.
Nadarajah said that for the convenience of visitors, the temple management and several factories and associations are setting up "Thannir Panthal" (stalls providing free food and drinks) within the Batu Caves temple compound.
"There will be also be more than 500 stalls which will be selling items necessary for the devotees on Thaipusam Day itself," he added.
Nadarajah said more than 10,000 people were expected to carry the "kavadi" to fulfil their vows. He said "kavadi" bearers would not be allowed to carry machetes, smoke cigars or smear their faces with "kungumam", a red powder used to dot the forehead, because such action was not in keeping with Hinduism.
"Any kavadi which does not follow the specifications as stipulated will not be allowed to enter the compound of the Batu Caves Temple," he said.
He also said that devotees would not be allowed to burn camphor in front of the statues of the deities or in the cave, adding that they would only be allowed to do so at a designated area.
Asked about plans to upgrade and improve the organisation of the Thaipusam festival, Nadarajah said the temple management was in the midst of talking to the police and the Selayang Municipal Council to allocate about 3,000 parking bays for devotees coming to the Batu Caves temple for Thaipusam.
"This year, we have nothing new but the temple management is planning to have a gold-plated chariot for next year's Thaipusam festival.
"And, of course, the temple committee will be having a massive fireworks display as usual Jan 31, which is the eve of Thaipusam.
"In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007 also, we are planning to indicate the names of all the Hindu deities at Batu Caves for the tourists to identify them (deities) easily.
"We receive numerous complaints from the tourists who cannot identify who the deities are," said Nadarajah.
He also said that after the Thaipusam celebration, he is planning to meet Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to discuss more about programmes which can attract tourists, especially to Batu Caves.
Nadarajah denied a Tamil newspaper report that Batu Caves has allocated a large piece of land to build a cultural centre.
"Currently, we have limited land to start a new project and how can we build a large cultural centre like that," he said.
Meanwhile, Rescue 991 Captain V K Naidu, said his 50-member rescue team will be providing assistance to devotees from the eve of Thaipusam to Feb 3, in the form of first aid and rescue services. Thaipusam will start with the chariot carrying the Murugan deity going in procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple to the Sri Subramaniam Temple.
Bernama
2007/1.%20January/30%20Jan/BT30Jan.3.pdf
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