GEORGE TOWN: Hindu devotees in Penang took to the streets here to welcome the silver chariot, which is Penang’s Thaipusam icon for the past 121 years.
Barefooted devotees have been following the bullock cart chariot, which left the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Lebuh Queen at 6am to the Nattukottai Chettiar Arulmigu Lord Balathandayuthabany temple at the Waterfall Road, some 10km away.
The chariot is expected to arrive there by midnight.
Hundreds also lined-up along the procession route to help ‘cleanse’ the path for the chariot by breaking coconuts along its destined path.
As the chariot arrived outside Hotel Jen, Jalan Magazine at 11.20am, many held up brass plates with offerings of fruits, incense and flowers for the Murugan deity on the chariot.
Amidst chants of ‘Vel! Vel!’ (divine javelin used by Lord Murugan), some devotees also charged up for the remainder of their trip to the waterfall temple on foot at the "thaneer panthaal" (refreshment stalls).
Thaipusam, the festival of thanksgiving and repentance, is celebrated worldwide tomorrow.
It is celebrated in honour of Lord Subramaniam (also known as Lord Murugan), who represents virtue, youth and power, and is the destroyer of evil.