Selangor Journal
P Paruvathy with her family preparing for the Thaipusam celebration in their house at Taman Sri Muda, Section 25, Shah Alam, on January 16, 2022. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Flood victims to celebrate Thaipusam moderately

By Siti Rohaizah Zainal

SHAH ALAM, Jan 17 — Despite being affected by the recent major floods, Hindu devotees are finding ways to celebrate the Thaipusam festival even if it is on a moderate scale.

Housewife P Paruvathy, 60, said the floods that hit Selangor, especially in her residential area in Taman Sri Muda, Section 25 here, was a heartbreaking event.

“My family and I were really saddened by the incident, especially now as we are about to celebrate Thaipusam because the house is still not completely cleaned.

P Paruvathy with her family preparing for the Thaipusam celebration in their house at Taman Sri Muda, Section 25, Shah Alam, on January 16, 2022. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

“However, we have accepted it (this fate) and are grateful that Thaipusam can still be celebrated despite having to follow standard operating procedures (SOP),” she said when met.

The mother of five added that the floods incident taught everyone to live in moderation, be united and not harm each other.

“This year, I pray that we are all given good health and pray that the children get a good education for their future,” she said.

On Wednesday, Minister of National Unity Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique announced that only the ‘paal koodam’ procession of carrying milk pots, prayer activities and chariot processions will be allowed during the Thaipusam festival this time, with the ‘kavadi’ ceremony still not allowed in the effort to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The SOP set for the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves stated that there will be no more than 6,000 people each day. Each 30-minute prayer session is followed by a sanitisation process, with the total number of people for each session in the temple not exceeding 500.

The government also said that temporary stalls for promotions or sales inside or outside the temple area are also not allowed.

 

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