Over a million people will be celebrating Thaipusam in Malaysia tomorrow (11 February) at various temples nationwide, one of the most important Hindu events for believers of the faith. A celebration dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, it is held on the first full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai (usually around January and February).
With that in mind, many roads nationwide will be closed to allow for chariot processions in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival, including in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, George Town and Ipoh.
If you’re living in or planning to visit these cities tomorrow, do take note of the road closures for the festivities below and plan your travels accordingly:
Kuala Lumpur (9 to 12 February 2025)
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BERNAMA quoted Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa as saying that roads in the Malaysian capital have been closed and diverted in stages since Sunday (9 February) to make way for the chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S Lee to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.
The road closures will take place until Wednesday (12 February) as the chariot will make its return journey using the same route.
Here are all the affected roads:
- Jalan Tun H.S. Lee
- Jalan Sultan
- Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock
- Jalan Pudu
- Jalan Tun Perak
- Jalan Lebuh Ampang
- Jalan Ampang
- Jalan Munshi Abdullah
- Jalan Dang Wangi
- Jalan Raja Laut
- Jalan Belia
- Jalan Sri Amar
- Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah
- Jalan Tun Razak
- Jalan Perhentian
- Jalan Ipoh Lama (Batu Lima)
- Jalan Kepong Baru
Ipoh, Perak (10 to 14 February 2025)
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Meanwhile, in Ipoh, Perak, Ipoh District Police Chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad revealed that the chariot and kavadi procession from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Sungai Pari, Buntong, to Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunung Cheroh will begin at 6 pm today.
Meanwhile, the chariot processions back from SriSubramaniar Temple to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple will begin at 5 pm on Wednesday (13 February) and are expected to end at noon on Thursday (14 February).
Road closures and diversions are done in stages during the chariot processions and will involve these roads:
- Jalan Tun Perak
- Jalan Lahat
- Jalan Sultan Yusuf
- Jalan Sultan Idris Shah
- Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar
- Jalan Raja Musa Aziz
George Town, Penang (10 to 12 February 2025)
For illustration purposes
Further up north in George Town, Penang, several major roads in the Penang capital will be closed from 10am today to 12 February midnight for chariot processions.
According to Varnam Malaysia, these include the golden chariot travelling between Lebuh Queen and Jalan Air Terjun and the silver chariot that’s travelling between Lebuh Penang and Jalan Air Terjun.
Here are the roads that will be closed:
- Jalan Gottlieb
- Lorong Waterfall
- Kebun Bunga
- Jalan Wright
- Jalan Burma
- Jalan Brown
- Jalan DS Ramanathan
- Jalan Brother James
- Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
- Jalan Park
- Jalan Utama
- Jalan Brook
- Waterfall Lane (Kg Waterfall)
Moreover, Victoria Road will be completely closed from midnight on 10 February, while Lebuh Campbell will be closed from midnight on 12 February.
Hence, do take note of all these road closures and diversions in these 3 cities. WORLD OF BUZZ would like to wish Happy Thaipusam to everyone celebrating!
Also read: M’sian Witnesses Thaipusam Parade Firsthand as it Passes Right in Front of Her Home
