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PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, January 20, 2001: Several Indian religious organizations and groups have welcomed the proposal to bar devotees from burning camphor during the Thaipusam celebrations in Batu Caves on January 28. Malaysia Hindu Sangam president A. Vaithilingam said the burning of camphor was not a mandatory requirement and some temples in India had in fact stopped the practice. He said the decision in India was taken after temple priests were found to have respiratory problems after inhaling too much of the smoke from the camphor. Vaithilingam said priests could use oil lamps filled with ghee as offerings to the gods instead of camphor as is the practice now. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council president R.P. Velayutham said they supported the decision as the burning of the camphor might damage the limestone walls of the temple, but there should be some leeway for the devotees who had already made vows to burn camphor during the celebrations. The small Murugan temple, the most popular in Malaysia, is located in a large natural cave reached by climbing a steep flight of stairs. The enormous crowds, approaching a million, have to be regulated to avoid congestion in the cave.

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