'Silver Chariot' all set for annual procession accompanied by 150,000 devotees

The 'Silver Chariot' bearing the idols of Lord Murugan and his two consorts Valli and Theivanai is ready to begin the annual procession tonight accompanied by about 150,000 Hindu devotees.

The procession, which will begin from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee to Batu Caves at 10pm, will officially start the Thaipusam festival.

Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah told Bernama the silver chariot with a height of 7.3 metres was expected to reach Batu Caves on Jan 23 (Saturday) at 2.30pm.

"The chariot will return to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Jan 25 (Monday), at midnight," he said.

Nadarajah said security has also been tightened during the procession as the idols are decorated with sparkling precious jewels. The idols are also adorned with flower garlands and a sight to behold.

Thaipusam is celebrated on Jan 24 to commemorate the event where Lord Murugan received the sacred spear from his mother Goddess Parvati, to eliminate the evil demon, Soorapadman, and restore prosperity and human well-being.

As a tradition, the procession will be abuzz with the ritual of breaking coconuts along the way and a Bernama observation found that coconuts were being sold between RM1.80 to RM2.50 each depending on the size of the coconut.