According to reports, Thaipusam essentials such as milk pots, coconuts, and the popular yellow garments are available in abundance this year with no significant increase in prices.
One shop in Little India has a wide variety of Thaipusam items including milk pots of various sizes, poo koodai, prayer items, silver Vels, milk cartons, and even pre-made kavadis. S. Patmanathen, the managing director of the shop, mentioned that prices have slightly increased due to currency exchange but remained reasonable.
He added, “We have six different sizes of milk pots including brass ones which are heavier and more costly. We have also kept the price of silver Vels steady as compared to last year. We also have ready-made kavadis made locally which are quite popular among adults and children. Some people prefer to buy them and add their own decorations, which we also offer.”
Clothing shop owner MP Alagarsamy mentioned that he has imported yellow garments, including tops for both men and women, and veshtis for men from India. He also commented that business has been a bit slow this year, possibly due to stiff competition from other shops selling similar yellow garments.
M. Joel Jeyachandran, a coconut supplier for the past 20 years, has prepared 80,000 coconuts for this year’s Thaipusam festival, expecting a demand similar to pre-pandemic times. He has already received orders for 50,000 coconuts and anticipates more orders in the coming week. The price for coconuts has remained consistent at RM1.90 each, with discounts offered for bulk orders.
Traditionally, coconuts are broken during the journey of the chariots to and from the temples on the eve and the day after Thaipusam, which falls on Jan 25 this year.
