The next leg of my Thaipusam visit was the 4.5km walk from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road. This little over 1 hour walk took me from Serangoon Road to Selegie Road and Prinsep Street then a right turn to Penang Road and a left turn into Clemenceau Avenue before reaching Tank Road.
The walk for the devotees starts with crossing to the opposite side of temple on Serangoon Road. There were traffic police on hand to stop the oncoming traffic to allow the devotees to cross. I could join them but I decided to cross at the next traffic crossing
This passes the old New World Amusement Park which was one of the “World” which offers nightly fun and games for the people from the 1920s to the 1960s. It was redeveloped as City Square Mall as a eco-friendly shopping complex and residential hub
The famous Mustafa Centre at Syed Alwi Road. This is probably the largest department store and supermarket in Singapore which if I am not wrong is housed over 4 buildings. The department store operates 24 hours.
The procession continues passed Hindoo Street across from Broadway Hotel
Opposite the housing estate at Klang Lane
Opposite the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Spectators taking photos of the oncoming devotees
The Jungle Tandoor Restaurant
The 3 Maidens of The Jungle Tandoor
Spectators waiting at the temporary fence after Upper Dickson Road
Opposite the Tekka Centre
Outside of The Verge Shopping Mall which is across the Tekka Centre
At the end of Serangoon Road and now waiting at the traffic light crossing into Selegie Road
Opposite Selegie Complex
Crossing Peace Centre at Prinsep Street
Outside Parklane Shopping Centre
Just pass PoMo Mall
Taking a rest and a drink opposite the School of The Arts (SOTA)
Doing a diagonal crossing from Rendezvous Hotel into Orchard Road
An ambulance standing by
Crossing the red carpet opposite The Cathay.
Opposite the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church
Crossing Park Mall at Penang Road
This man was actually be tugged by the hooks on his back while being pulled by someone and pulling the statue of the deity.
This devotee was walking on shoes made of nails
Into Clemenceau Avenue after the House of Tan Yeok Nee which is currently occupied by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and was previously the home of the Salvation Army between 1938 to 1991. The Istana Park is all the way at the back.
This devotee was asking for water but told that he needed to dance first which he did but in the end, he never got his water
The procession passes the Church of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic Church at Tank Road
The Teochew Building home to the Ngee Ann Kongsi and the former premises of the Tuan Mong High School
Queuing up to enter the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
Devotees entering the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
This is the end of my journey as only devotees can enter this temple and besides it would have been really crowded.
Since last year with the enforcement of the No Drums regulations, the Thaipasum walk seems dull compared to previous years.
I never had the chance to experience this personally.
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It can be a scary affair if you are squeamish about piercings but it sure is an eye-opening experience.