It’s time for the annual Thaipusam festival again, and our Hindu friends will be celebrating the occasion by spending quality time with family, visiting temples, and some even taking part in processions.
Update: Check out the 2017 Thaipusam road closure routes for KL & Penang!
It has been announced that 10 major roads and several by-roads and areas in Kuala Lumpur will be temporarily closed in stages starting 10pm on Friday (22 Jan) until early Tuesday (26 Jan) morning, to make way for the procession of the Silver Chariot in conjunction with Thaipusam on Sunday. The procession will make its way from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves.
The roads will be closed and reopened in stages between 10pm on Friday and Saturday evening for the first procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple to Batu Caves, while the return procession from Batu Caves back to the Sri Maha Mariamman temple will see the routes closed and reopened in stages between 4pm on Monday and early Tuesday.
Map of road closure for Thaipusam procession 2016 (Source: Astro Awani/Bernama)
The affected roads include:
- Jalan Tun H.S. Lee
- Jalan Sultan
- Jalan Pudu
- Jalan Tun Perak
- Jalan Leboh Ampang
- Jalan Ampang
- Jalan Munshi Abdullah
- Jalan Dang Wangi
- Sogo Shopping Complex
- Jalan Raja Laut
- Jalan Sri Amar
- Jalan Tun Razak (U-turn in front of the Fire and Rescue Department)
- Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah
- Jalan Kovil Hilir
- Lorong Kovil Hulu
- Jalan Perhentian
- Batu 5
- Batu Caves
The police and relevant authorities advise road users to take note of the road closures and plan their travel route accordingly, and the public are urged to take public transport on the dates mentioned to avoid delays and congestion. The Kuala Lumpur traffic police also caution motorists to avoid parking their vehicles on the designated routes. Those who disobey the directions and traffic laws may risk getting summoned or have their vehicles towed away for obstructing traffic. 85 traffic personnel will be deployed along the routes to ensure smooth traffic flow and keep road users safe.
Stay tuned for updates on Estate123 Insight for more up-to-date news on property and road closures around Malaysia!
The Silver Chariot procession during Thaipusam (Photo from Demotix)
A kavadi bearer during Thaipusam (Photo from cilisos.my)
Hindu devotees make their way up the 272 steps to the entrance of the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession in Batu Caves, Malaysia on January 17, 2014. (Photo by Firdaus Latif)
Just a refresher course in festivals in Malaysia: Deepavali (or Diwali) is the biggest celebration for Hindus inviting in a brand new year (much like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya Aidilfitri), while Thaipusam is the second biggest festival where processions carrying kavadi with statues of deities are held (similar to Wesak Day). The ceremonial worship of Hindu’s celebrated deity, Lord Muruga begins with a silver chariot procession led by kavadis adorned with peacock features.
Grand celebrations and elaborate processions take place every year at the Batu Caves temple (officially known as Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple) just outside of Kuala Lumpur. Besides the Batu Caves, Hindus also gather at the Balathandayuthapani Temple or Waterfall Hill Temple in Penang, the Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Sungai Petani (Kedah), and the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Ipoh (Perak).
