Penang: The Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) has clarified that the decision to stop music at Thaneer Panthals (decorated stalls) at 11 pm on February 1 during Thaipusam celebrations was made purely on safety grounds, following lessons learned from last year’s overcrowding incident.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the deputy chairman of PHEB, Dr. R. Lingeshwaran, stated that the directive applied only to the night of February 1. The measure aims to ensure that kavadi bearers can reach the hilltop of Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga in time for the Thirukaapu ritual at 11 pm. He emphasized that this does not signify the end of Thaipusam celebrations.
“It is important to note that Thaipusam does not end at 11 pm, and the panthal operators are free to continue serving devotees and fulfilling their noble duties throughout the night. We would have preferred to continue the event until midnight, but we cannot take the risk if lives are at stake. Safety of the devotees comes first,” Dr. Lingeshwaran posted on his Facebook page.
He further explained that after an unfortunate human stampede last year, police had initially proposed a 10 pm cutoff. However, following discussions with the PHEB committee, the time was extended to 11 pm. More than one million devotees attended Thaipusam last year, during which seven individuals fainted due to severe congestion, hampering ambulance access for immediate medical assistance.
“This year, we expect an even larger crowd due to the long weekend, and these experiences guide the precautions we take today,” Dr. Lingeshwaran said. He added that PHEB will continue to engage with the police and relevant authorities. If crowd management and safety objectives can be met, the board will work towards extending the music until midnight in future celebrations.
Earlier, Bernama reported that PHEB chairman RSN Rayer announced a special permit system for devotees carrying the Ratham Kavadi (a large kavadi resembling a small cart pulled by several individuals). This system will regulate entry times for the kavadi procession to ensure smoother movement and prevent congestion that could compromise safety, especially during peak hours at night.
Moreover, panthal operators are reminded to adhere strictly to guidelines, including playing only religious songs, ceasing all music by 11 pm on February 1, and complying with the ban on entertainment music. However, the regulations have sparked debate among Indian devotees on social media, with some expressing dissatisfaction with PHEB.
Over a million Hindu devotees and tourists are expected to descend on Penang for the Thaipusam festival on February 1.