SHAH ALAM - With strict Covid-19 restrictions in place, Hindu devotees have instead taken to social media to share their joy and excitement in celebrating Thaipusam.
Thaipusam like any other festival is usually celebrated with such jubilation but is now done moderately in accordance with Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
However, this did not stop devotees from inviting their fellow Malaysians to celebrate with them virtually.
Thaipusam celebrations are trending over Twitter with devotees sharing the vibrant atmosphere at temples where they celebrate the festival.
Among them are devotees in Penang who shared photos and videos of the golden and silver chariots making their way through the town to reach the Arulmigu Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple and the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple.
According to a social media user, Jaya Suria, Thaipusam celebrations, this year, was rather quiet and simple.
However, she said it felt good to still be able to celebrate the special occasion after two years of lockdown.
"I am looking forward to having a full-swing Thaipusam celebration in the coming years with the vibrant colours of kavadis, to perform prayers and get together with my family and friends," she said.
Another social media user, Durgeswary Radha said she celebrated this year’s Thaipusam by fulfilling vows and prayers at home with her family.
"It's great that I got to celebrate it at home with my family so that I can avoid the crowd especially when it is not safe to do so this year. However, we really do miss celebrating and witnessing the beautiful chariots and kavadis in person. "It is sad but safety comes first," she said.
She also said that Malaysians need to be smart in making choices and continue to fight the pandemic as she was looking forward to being able to celebrate the special occasion in the coming years.