Batu Caves cable cars ready by 2014

Datuk R. Nadarajah pointing to the 3m-high pot which will be used to boil 18,500 litres of milk on Ponggal day. Pic by Che Rani Che Din

GREEN LIGHT: The project has received final go-ahead from Selayang Municipal Council

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple committee has received the final go-ahead from the Selayang Municipal Council to have cable cars at Batu Caves.

The project, which was initially planned to be completed in time for this year's Thaipusam festival, had faced delays as the developer needed to get the approval of several agencies.

Temple committee chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah said they had submitted all the forms and were issued a letter of approval dated Dec 31 last year.

"After about one-and-a-half years, we have received the letter of approval to build the cable cars. We expect the project to be completed before Thaipusam next year."

He said the cable car project was planned for the benefit of the elderly and disabled who were unable to climb the temple's 272-step staircase.

Nadarajah also announced that the temple would be organising the "Mupperum Vizhaa", a joint celebration of three festivals - Tamil Thirunaal, Tamil New Year and Ponggal. The event will be held at the temple on Jan 13 and 14.

The highlight is the ritual boiling of 18,500 litres of milk in a 3m-high pot on Ponggal day on Jan 14. The milk will be used to make offerings and the remainder will be distributed to devotees. The temple committee is working on entering the temple's name in the Malaysia Book of Records for the event.

Other attractions that will be held during the festival are debates in Tamil, a mini concert and traditional dance performances, including folk dances.

Nadarajan said the temple recognised the first day in the month of Thai of the Hindu calendar as the Tamil New Year, and as such, it would be celebrating on that date. "Special prayers to usher in the year will be held," Nadarajah said.

The three-day event is expected to be attended by Malaysian Indian Congress president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, whose ministry has agreed to allocate RM80,000 for the event.

-nst online.