KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 — Batu Caves was in darkness yesterday night after electricity supply to the area was disrupted at 8.53pm and by midnight, supply had not been restored yet.
Hindu devotees who thronged Batu Caves to fulfil their religious vows in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival, which kicks off tomorrow, were left unprepared to face the unforeseen circumstances.
This picture, posted in social media by one of the devotees, shows the situation in Batu Caves
Batu Caves temple committee member, N.Sivakumar said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) was trying its best to rectify the problem.
In the meantime, the temple was being helped by TNB’s big generator to light up the temple in the cave, but the supply was not stable, he told Bernama.
He said this was the first time a blackout occurred during the Thaipusam festival.
Meanwhile, a full moon, a spotlight and lights from the nearby stalls helped to brighten up the area which enabled the devotees to continue their religious rituals.
Sivakumar said the temple committee was currently trying to obtain two more generators to back up the existing TNB generator.
Gombak district police chief, ACP Ali Ahmad said the situation at Batu Caves was under control despite the semi-darkness.
“It is dark at the Batu Caves steps but not so dark in other parts of the area. TNB is looking into the cause of the power supply disruption,” he said when contacted.
He added that the devotees should not be worried as policemen were present to ensure their safety.
The visit by Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali to the Thaipusam celebration site was also disrupted following the electricity supply disruption.
Azmin who arrived at 8.15pm was supposed to speak at the event but this was cancelled due to the problem.
He then moved to another event at a nearby area.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Azmin said: “This is beyond us. We didn’t expect it (power supply disruption). But I think the situation will not affect the celebration here,” he said.
For S. Deva who has been going to the temple for 30 years, the incident tonight was the first of its kind.
Another devotee, who gave his name only as Maniapan, said the incident did not affect the ceremony although the atmosphere seemed less festive without the coloured lights.
— BERNAMA
