There has been a lot of speculation floating around concerning the Thaipusam festival next year.

The guidelines and rules for Thaipusam were recently released by Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam. Here are some of the important details to note.

Silver Chariot

The Silver Chariot, which will depart from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam in Kuala Lumpur, will only make (10) stops for archanais on its way to Sri Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves.

Only fully vaccinated devotees will be allowed in via a queue at each stop, which will be regulated by SOP standards. Throughout the procession, MySejahthera scans and body temperature checks will be the norm.

Onlookers are allowed beyond the perimeter but cannot follow the chariot, according to Tan Sri Datuk Dr R.Nadarajah, chairman of Dhevasthanam.

So far, these are the stops that have been confirmed;

1. Maybank (just after Pudu roundabout)

2. Lebuh Ampang

3. Dang Wangi IPD ( Jln Dang Wangi)

4. Jalan Raja Laut ( Orkid Hotel)

5. Perkim Building (Jln Ipoh)

6. Sentul Thandayuthapani Chettiar Temple
( 2 1/2 mile Jln Ipoh.

7. Kg Kasipillay ( HSBC Bank – Jln Ipoh)

8. Batu Kompleks (Malaysia Nanban office – 3 1/2 mile Jln Ipoh)

9. Batu Cantonment (4th mile Jln Ipoh)

10. Kg Batu (5th mile Jln Ipoh)

Kavadi

According to Tan Sri Datuk Dr R.Nadarajah, only 200 kavadis would be permitted during the period of January 16th to January 19th, 2022.

All kavadis must be registered in advance, and those carrying kavadis and their company will be given tags. When receipts for Kavadis are issued at the Batu Caves Dhevasthanam office, this will be executed.

At the athangkarai (Riverside), ritual baths are permitted, as is the piercing of spikes, hooks, and skewers in a sanitised environment.

The large kavadis may only be accompanied by a maximum of ten persons.

Paal Kudham

For this Thaipusam, paal kudham bearers will be separated into 50 groups at a time.
They must have their paal kudham receipts ahead of time in order to receive their tags and gain access.

This process is intended to be delayed and staggered, with sanitization procedures taking place in between group movements.

Those who desire to undertake paal kudham ahead of Thaipusam, preferably from January 1, should do so with more ease, according to Tan Sri Datuk Dr R.Nadarajah.

He encourages devotees to do it before Thaipusam and to fulfil their vows with more distance and safety.

To prevent unnecessary overcrowding, those carrying paal kudhams in the groups specified are asked to offer their prayers and exit the cave immediately.

Those who intend to walk with the chariot while carrying paal kudham must register in advance to receive their tags.

Urumi Mellam

Urumi mellam groups are not allowed to accompany the chariot at designated chariot stops or to accompany kavadis for Thaipusam. The performance of Kollatam troupes in front of the chariot has also been barred.

Instead, the Dhevasthanam recommends that kavadis utilise nathaswaram and thaval musicians to accompany them.

Shops In Batu Caves

Within the Batu Caves, only a small number of stores are permitted. Online applications for such stores are available through a link on their official Facebook page.
Customers must be fully vaccinated and masked at all times, and each business must regulate MySejahthera and body temperature checks.

These are the list that has not been permitted;

1. Any kind of Anathanam panthal

2. Outside the Batu Caves, there are stores and booths.

3. Panthals of Thaneer

4. Tonsure and balding services

Applications for shops will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Within the Batu Caves site, there are permanent businesses that will cater to the requirements of devotees.

This was one of several requirements and limits set in the SOPs agreed upon by the MKN (National Security Council) and the Dhevasthanam, according to the Chairman.

The chairman of Dhevasthanam, Tan Sri Datuk Dr R.Nadarajah, indicated that people who do not follow the processes risk being summoned by enforcement officers. To guarantee strict compliance, police and FRU officers are set to be in full force.

“Above and beyond the desire to enjoy Thaipusam, we are very concerned about devotee safety, and we are doing everything we can to avoid any cluster or infection, especially since that the Omicron variety is a threat,” he added.

During the Thaipusam week, all devotees are required to adhere and follow the SOPs.