Penang Thaipusam & Chap Goh Mei 2023 celebrations are coming!
In this season of Huat Ahhhhh, the coming week will see the double festivities of Thaipusam and Chap Goh Mei on the same day.
Penang will see thousands taking to the streets to celebrate the cultural festivities.
Expect large crowds across Penang on the fifteenth night of the Lunar New Year celebrations, known in Hokkien as Chap Goh Mei.
Penang attracts tourists even on a regular weekend, but the annual Thaipusam celebrations and Chinese New Year will significantly increase visitors.
The last weekends of January and the first weekend of February will see colourful, traditional celebrations in Penang, so be prepared for jammed roads.
According to Bernama, Penang expects a massive turnout of 1.5 million visitors for the upcoming 3-day Thaipusam weekend.
From February 4 to February 6, 2023, Penangites, tourists from other countries, and Hindu worshippers will all be there, making this the busiest time on the island.
Many devotees could not fulfill their vows for the previous two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so they expect a larger crowd of overseas pilgrims to visit this year.
As Thaipusam falls on a weekend in 2023, devotees from other countries, such as Medan, Jakarta, and Singapore, are anticipated to participate in the Penang procession.
Double Celebration Thaipusam & Chap Goh Mei 2023
Grand 2023 Penang Thaipusam Celebration
The Silver and Golden Chariots
Unlike other Thaipusam celebrations in other states, Penang Thaipusam has featured two chariots since 2017.
The silver chariot carries the statue of Lord Murugan, while the golden chariot carries the vel (spear).
Although starting and ending at different temples, the chariots share the same 6.6 kilometers procession route, which takes more than half a day to complete.
The Golden Chariot departs from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Lebuh Queen at 6 am and arrives at the Arulmigu Sree Ganeshar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Meanwhile, the Silver Chariot departs from the Kovil Veedu (Temple House) in Lebuh Penang at 7 am and arrives at the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
The procession will pass via the following streets before heading to the temples at Jalan Kebun Bunga.
- Lebuh Chulia
- Lebuh Victoria
- Jalan Prangin
- Jalan CY Choy
- Jalan Magazine
- Jalan Datuk Keramat
- Jalan Utama
During the customary foot procession, the people are urged to behave sensibly and responsibly so that the celebration runs successfully.
Source: Here’s Why You Must Experience Thaipusam in Penang
The Golden and Silver Chariot carrying the statue of Lord Muruga with a sea of devotees Photo: Patrick Loo
The Silver Chariot. Photo: Nagelan Doraisamy
Officials from the temple want to reassure all followers that all essential precautions are taken so they may attend and do their religious duties without fear.
Depending on traffic congestion, the procession should reach the Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam Temple around midnight.
The procession will reach the Waterfall Temple grounds around 2 am.
Both chariots will return to their temples at 6 pm on February 6.
Thaipusam & Chap Goh Mei Cross Cultural Celebration
Thaipusam is celebrated annually in January or February.
Thaipusam festivals often coincide with the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
In addition to the drummings that follow the kavadi bearers, Chinese firecrackers are usually heard during the annual Thaipusam festival.
Thaipusam is a celebration in Penang that is not only celebrated by Indians but also participated in by other races, notably the Chinese.
Ethnic Chinese kavadi bearers often turn heads at the Penang Thaipusam celebration.
If lucky, you could see lion dancers honoring Chinese businesses near the procession path.
You’ll also see Chinese devotees approaching the chariots with offerings for prayers and blessings.
Along the procession’s path, huge stacks of coconuts can be seen holding little signs with the names of Chinese businesses and the number of coconuts they had prepared.
Witnessing so many Chinese worshippers making prayers and breaking coconuts along the procession path was a unique cultural change to Penang.
Thaipusam Coconut Breaking Ritual
Breaking coconut during Thaipusam is a cleansing ritual practiced by Hindu devotees.
It symbolizes surrendering one’s ego at god’s feet with complete determination and devotion.
Broken coconut is then collected, and the flesh is eaten raw or used for cooking.
Devotees may triple the number of coconuts shattered during the chariot processions.
However, each coconut now costs RM2, compared to RM1.30 in 2019.
Thaipusam commemorates the day when, according to Hindu belief, the goddess Pavarthi gave Lord Muruga a lance to slay demons.
Thaipusam Customary Foot Procession
Penang Thaipusam 2023 will see the return of the customary foot procession with 30,000 kavadi carriers, and hundreds of thousands of paal kudam (milk pot) bearers will participate in the festivities.
About 120 panthal (temporary stalls) will line 2 2-kilometer stretch from Jalan Macalister to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Devastanam Temple.
Along the chariot’s routes, there are about 30 temporary stalls.
If you want to visit other temples outside of Penang, you can check out the List of Hindu Temples in Malaysia to Visit During Thaipusam.
Please remember to follow the rules and stay safe during the Thaipusam celebrations!
Happy Thaipusam!
Source: More than 1.5 million expected in 3-day Thaipusam celebration in Penang (NST)
Penang Chap Goh Mei Celebrations 2023
Ren Ri was next in the lunar celebrations and events lineup after the first two days of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Ren Ri, or the “everyone’s birthday” celebration, falls on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year.
According to Chinese belief, Ren Ri was the day humans were created.
Next was the creation of the rooster, dog, pig, sheep, cow, and horse.
Restaurants and hotels in Penang have stocked up on Yee Sang for Loh Hei, offering various packages tailored to Ren Ri and the Chinese New Year festival.
The state-level New Year celebrations include Miao Hui (temple gathering), where visitors visit temples, exhibitions, cultural performances, open houses, workshops, traditional food, and other activities.
The state-level New Year celebrations include Miao Hui (temple gathering), where visitors visit temples, exhibitions, cultural performances, open houses, workshops, traditional food, and other activities. Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
More than 200,000 visitors tuned in for the event, which was organized by Penang Chinese Clan Council with the Penang Cultural Inheritors Society as its planning and coordination partner.
Since 1999 (coincidentally, the Year of the Rabbit), Miao Hui has been celebrated annually for 24 years.
Colourful street performances in Penang during Miao Hui (temple gathering). Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
These will occur from 4 pm to 11 pm across 15 stages, 23 clan houses, and 11 roads in George Town’s heritage precinct.
Thnee Kong Seh Celebrations
On the Hokkien New Year, the 8th day of the Lunar Year, the 116th Thnee Kong Seh (Jade Emperor) birthday celebration resumed at a grand scale at Chew Jetty off Weld Quay.
The event started from 8 pm to midnight and drew around 20,000 people.
For the first time, stage performances and a prayer ceremony were held in front of the newly restored Chau Yuan Gong Temple.
In Butterworth, a large crowd participated in the tradition of tossing Yee Sang at the Tow Boo Keong Temple in Jalan Raja Uda.
The festivities continued with celebrating the Heavenly Jade Emperor’s birthday.
Pai Thnee Kong Celebrations Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
According to the State Chinese Penang Association, two Dondang Sayang troupes will triumphantly return on February 5, Chap Goh Mei night.
There are two floats, and the procession will begin at 7 pm, heading towards the Esplanade.
The State Chinese Penang Association will hold a dinner on February 4 at the grand ballroom of Lot 33 in Prangin Mall, which will be open to the public.
Source: Double the joy and celebration on February 5 (The Star)
Penang Style Thaipusam & Chap Goh Mei!
One of the best places to experience Chinese and Indian culture is in Penang during the annual Chap Goh Meh and Thaipusam festivals.
Enjoy the 15th day of the lunar calendar, the Penang way, with Chap Goh Meh festivals with your family and friends at Esplanade from 6 pm to 11 pm.
Stalls line up the street, selling food and beverages with interactive cultural booths.
The night’s highlights are a special appearance by 988 DJs and fireworks!
As it is also Thaipusam, spend your long weekend here in Penang!
Immerse yourself in the uniqueness of Penang and experience the harmonious co-existence of multiple cultures!
There is nowhere else like Penang!
Are Thaipusam & Chap Goh Mei Public Holidays in Malaysia?
Thaipusam is a public holiday in Malaysia.
Chap Goh Mei is not an official public holiday in Malaysia. Instead, it is a viral festive date marked by many of Chinese descent.
Mark your calendar now, and be sure you come and celebrate this festive season.
Date: February 5, 2023
Time: 6 pm -11 pm
Venue: Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade)
Stay Safe During The Double Celebration Thaipusam & Chap Goh Mei 2023 For Malaysian Cultural Immersion!
SmartDory wishes all friends and visitors to Penang a Happy Thaipusam and Happy Chap Goh Mei 2023.
