GEORGE TOWN, Jan 30 — Hindu devotees turned out in the thousands to welcome Lord Muruga with offerings of fruits, gold and garlands as the chariots carrying the deity wound through the narrow roads of George Town to Waterfall Road.

Dressed in colourful traditional attire, devotees lined the route of the procession for both the gold and silver chariots from as early as 6am.

The golden chariot, carrying Lord Muruga’s vel (spear), left the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street at around 5am.

It was followed by the 124-year-old silver chariot bearing Lord Muruga holding the vel, about two hours later as it started its journey from the Kovil Verdi in Penang Street.

Unlike last year’s confusion due to the introduction of the golden chariot, which slowed the procession, this year’s procession went on smoothly.

While many devotees waited to make their offerings to Lord Muruga in the silver chariot, most prepared two sets, one for each of the golden and silver chariots.

K. Uma and her 10 family members waited to make their offerings to the silver chariot early this morning, before making their way to Datuk Keramat to try to catch the golden chariot around noon.

"After this, we will be bringing milk pots to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple as thanksgiving to Lord Muruga for fulfilling our wishes,” she said.

Belinda Por (right) breaking coconuts along Jalan Datuk Keramat as the Golden Chariot arrives, in Penang.

In Penang, it is common for Buddhists to also participate in the Thaipusam procession, especially in the ritual breaking of coconuts, which is also a form of thanksgiving to the deity for fulfilling their wishes.

Two such persons were Belinda and Victoria Por, who broke coconuts along Jalan Datuk Keramat before the arrival of the golden chariot.

"I have been doing this every year for the past 20 years in Batu Caves and, this year, I am doing this in Penang because I am moving back to Penang,” Belinda said.

The Buddhist said she respects and also believes in Hinduism, adding that she even has an altar for Lord Ganesh at home.

"Lord Muruga has fulfilled our wishes, I have everything I need so we are here to participate in welcoming him,” she said.

The chariots travelled past numerous thaneer panthal (stalls) set up along its route past Chulia Street, Victoria Street, Prangin Road, Magazine Road and Jalan Datuk Keramat as at 3pm and will make its way towards Jalan Utama and Jalan Kebun Bunga to reach the Waterfall Hilltop Temple at around midnight today.

Thaipusam celebrations tomorrow will only last until 6pm, when the temples will close their doors and cover the statues of the deities due to the moon eclipse tomorrow.

Eclipses are considered inauspicious by the community.

Kavadi bearers must consequently make their way to the temple before 6pm tomorrow and some have opted not to take part due to the shorter hours tomorrow.

One of them, K. Vijayan said he was a kavadi bearer last year, but this year, he opted to only bring milk pots as offerings to the temple today.

"Next year I will definitely be a kavadi bearer as Lord Muruga has fulfilled my wishes to be transferred back to my hometown in Penang,” he said.

The golden and silver chariots will make its journey back from the Waterfall Hilltop Temple back to Queen Street and Penang Street respectively on Thursday.