FOLLOWING the cancellation of Thaipusam celebration due to the movement control order (MCO), the Penang Hilltop Temple, which is also known as Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple, took a different approach by streaming live the ‘poojas’ (prayers) done in the temple via Facebook, Youtube, and Website.
The temple conducted prayers starting from Thaipusam eve on Jan 27 till Jan 29 to mark the celebration.
Its chairman Datuk R. Subramaniam said the live streaming of religious ceremonies that took place in the temple received an overwhelming response from Hindu devotees locally and globally.
“After getting approval from the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), we decided to live stream the special prayers conducted in temple for Thaipusam,’’ said Subramaniam during a press conference held today at Komtar.
“The most important thing when it comes to live streaming or live broadcast is the connectivity, and we are glad that our local Telco provider Digi came into the picture to assist us with it.
“They had their antenna placed at the hilltop temple , and successfully delivered an uninterrupted live streaming for 36 hours of all the rituals and prayers that went on according to the schedule,’’ he said, while adding that prayers were also broadcast on Astro.
Subramaniam said, based on the live streaming report, devotees from a total of 34 countries viewed the live stream from Jan 27 to 28.
“The live stream was done via Facebook, Youtube and an official website which had 1.6 million, 24,000, and 42,000 viewers respectively.
“This year’s Thaipusam was somehow special as we used the social media platform to reach out to our devotees. Also, those who have never been to the hilltop temple due to their physical condition were able to have a glimpse of the Thaipusam prayers.
“In addition to that, we also provided online services for prayer requests (archanai) as requested by the devotees themselves.
“We are in the midst of proposing to the PHEB on the continuation and upgrading of the online services for ‘archanai’ for all the prayers conducted in the temple in future.
“This would cater to the locals as well as devotees from abroad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said the Thaipusam was celebrated in the new norm, exploiting the technological advantage.
“Even after we have successfully curbed the Covid-19 pandemic, we would be probably adopting the digital platform which has become something inevitable during this time.
“We want to set up a system for the future, which can enable us to telecast or live stream not only Thaipusam but all religious events such as the daily prayers conducted in the temple.
“Indirectly, breaking the geographical barriers to enable devotees across the globe to take part in the religious ceremonies,” he said.
Apart from that, Ramasamy revealed that a total collection of RM55,500 was made during the Thaipusam this year.
“Out of the amount, PHEB has collected RM15,300 from online ‘archanai’ and RM40,200 from donation and ‘Ubayam’ collection,” said Ramasamy.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud