New Thaipusam SOP Announced Based On Each Temple’s Capacity
Kavadi procession and food and drink donations are not allowed.
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Thaipusam is celebrated on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 this year.
To celebrate the day safely, it’s advisable to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set in each temple.
What’s allowed?
1. Paal Koodam ceremony
The Paal Koodam ceremony is taking place from 14 to 19 January.
Each session can last a maximum of 30 minutes followed by sanitisation.
Paal Koodam (milk offering) bearers must register with temple management and wear the issued tag at all times.
Capacity in temples:
Sri Subramaniar Swarmy Batu Caves Temple, Selangor: Maximum 100 people
Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple and Nagarathar Thandayuthapani George Town, Penang: Maximum 50 people
Other temples: Maximum 30 people
2. Prayer processions
At the Sri Subramaniar Swarmy Batu Caves Temple, there’ll be 12 sessions from 5am to 5pm on 16, 17 and 19 January.
On 18 January, there’ll be 18 prayer sessions from 5am to 11pm.
Only a maximum of 6,000 people are allowed daily and each session can last a maximum of 30 minutes followed by sanitisation.
No more than 500 devotees per session are allowed.
3. Chariot processions
Only a limited number of people can escort the chariot procession and they have to register and wear the issued tag.
The chariot routes must be approved by the police beforehand.
For Sri Subramaniar Swarmy Batu Caves Temple, no more than 100 escorts from the temple are allowed to accompany the procession.
There must be no more than 10 stops too.
For Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple (Penang), Nagarathar Thandayuthapani Temple George Town (Penang), Ipoh Hindu Devastanam Paripalana Sabah Temple (Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Alayam) (Perak) and Sri Subramaniyar Thevasthana Paripalana Temple Sabah Sungai Siput (Perak), no more than 100 escorts are allowed to accompany the procession and they must not make more than seven stops.
For the other temples, the chariot procession must have no more than 50 escorts and make no more than five stops.
4. Setting up roadside stalls
Only temple management is allowed to set up tents along the procession routes.
What’s not allowed?
- Kavadi procession
- Food and drink donations (thanir phandal and anathanam)
- Temporary food stalls inside or outside temple areas
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