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Thaipusam celebrated modestly to avoid Covid-19 spread

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Two men carrying their "kavadi" (burden) as two "paal kudam" (milk pot) attached each on it during the procession in the temple compound. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: Hindus celebrated Thaipusam at the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple in Jalan Ban Hock here modestly, complying with Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures throughout.

“During normal times, there will be a procession in town, starting from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Rock Road to Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple in Jalan Ban Hock.

“Devotees will join the procession. However, as we are still experiencing the pandemic, there are no such procession in order to curb the spread of the virus,” Hindu Temple Association Kuching president V. Sahundararaju told the media on Tuesday (Jan 18).

He added that only the ‘paal koodam’ (procession of carrying milk pots) and prayer activities would be allowed.

“The kavadi-carrying practice is still not allowed.

“Similarly with the piercing activity, it cannot be done as we celebrate this festival inside the temple compounds — there can be no element of blood.

“We also don’t distribute pamphlets like in previous years because we don’t want to publicise this festival to prevent people from coming (to the temple) — we are worried we can’t control the crowd,” he explained, adding that only 50 devotees were allowed inside the temple and 120 devotees in the temple compounds at any one time.

Meanwhile, commenting on the small Indian population in Sarawak, Sahundararaju said Malaysia Hindu Sangam (Sarawak branch) would act as the coordinating body for all the temples in the state.

“Under the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), Hindu Sangam will represent us.

“So, anything we want to bring up (to the state level), we will go through them.

“Regarding the number of temples, we have one in Miri, Sibu already has a small temple and is currently building a bigger one while in Bintulu, there is land provided to build a temple.”

Two men carrying their “kavadi” (burden) as two “paal kudam” (milk pot) attached each on it during the procession in the temple compound. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

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