‘Don’t use synthetic, plastic based materials during Maasi Maga Theppa Thiruvizha’

Penang state exco for housing and environment Sundarajoo Somu, Consumers Association of Penang, Penang State Green Council, Malaysia Hindu Sangam – Penang Council and the Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple in Teluk Bahang have joined forces in calling upon Hindus who would be celebrating Maasi Maga Theppa Thiruvizha on March 2 against using synthetic or plastic.

“We appeal to devotees to abstain from using styrofoam or any type of polystyrene or plastic-based material for the lanterns,” they said in a joint statement.

“Natural oil lamps on banana stem were used about two to three decades ago, these lights were fixed on layers of banana tree stems, which is the better choice because it not only floats well but also gets biodegraded in the sea.

“We urge devotees to go for safer and environment-friendly alternatives such as plates made of betel nut tree leaves, padi husks and banana tree stems to float the lights.

“As the festival is to thank God, Mother Nature and the sea for the livelihood it provides, it is only appropriate that environment-friendly approaches are taken to make the festival more meaningful.”

The call was made as foam and plastic materials are major sea polluters which threaten the marine ecosystem.

“This is because Styrofoam and polystyrene are non-biodegradable and cannot break down into smaller pieces.

“These are ingested mistakenly as food by marine life such as fish and turtles, harming or killing them.”

This annual festival is held in honor of the powerful Hindu goddess, Singamuga Kaliamman or also known as Kali.

The word “Theppa” in the Tamil language means “floating platform” or “a float,” and during this festival, the deity is placed on a beautifully decorated floating platform on the sea.

“People from all over the world come to witness this unique and mesmerizing spectacle, and most importantly to seek the blessings of Singamuga Kaliamman.

The festival has its roots in the local fishing community, who started it to ensure the safe journeys of the fishermen to the sea.