Since coconuts are seen to be a sign of good fortune, they are an essential part of practically all Hindu ceremonies.
 
Breaking coconuts is a symbolic act of ego surrender at God's feet for followers.
 
However, because of supply problems, sustainability has emerged as the buzzword of the day.
 
There are about 4,000 Hindu temples in the country, according to Datuk N. Sivakumar, president of the malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations. Even small to medium-sized temples can use up to 1,000 coconuts per month for a variety of rituals, including those for important holidays like Deepavali, Pongal, and the tamil New Year.

When asked lately, he told Malay Mail, "The precise number of coconuts used can vary by size and the volume of devotees, but larger temples typically use up to 15,000 coconuts per month and small-to-medium-sized temples may use around 1,000 coconuts per month."
 
According to Sivakumar, temples have been struggling to locate other suppliers in order to ensure a consistent supply for their ceremonies as a result of the country's continuous coconut crisis.
 
Additionally, because of the scarcity, coconut prices have been rising.
 
According to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, mature coconuts in Peninsular malaysia typically cost between RM2.20 and RM2.93 per fruit as of december 2024.
 
According to Muniswaran Samudram, who owns a coconut farm in Bagan Datuk, Perak, several temples in the state were unable to obtain enough coconuts for New Year's Day or for prayers in december of last year.
 
He recently had to turn down an order for 10,000 coconuts because the buyer was unable to pay the growing cost.
 
"I provided about 20,000 coconuts the year before and about 15,000 coconuts during Thaipusam last year. For temple devotion, customers typically seek for smaller coconuts, which we sell for between RM1.20 and RM1.30.
 
However, we must now sell the same fruit for more than RM3 after purchasing it for more than RM2. For some devotees, it is expensive.
 
"However, I've heard that a lot of suppliers will be sending coconuts for Thaipusam, and some devotees are still eager to break them," he stated.
 
Hindu worshipers make promises to crush coconuts at the temple or during the chariot parade during Thaipusam.
 
In Hinduism, the numerals 108 and 1,008—which are derivatives of the greatest single digit number nine—signify completeness and are regarded as the foundation of all creation. For this reason, the quantity might vary from one coconut per person to 108 or even 1,008 coconuts.
 
However, the nation's largest Hindu temples celebrating Thaipusam are sure that the shortage of supplies won't stop worshippers from keeping their holy commitments.
 
Devotees who have vowed to break coconuts would do so even if it costs more to purchase the fruits, according to Tan Sri R. Nadarajah, head of the Batu Caves Hindu temple committee.
 
However, because of the scarcity, devotees who have not yet made the vows may be reevaluating their plans.
 
To show their dedication, believers should, in my opinion, just crack one coconut. The quantity of coconuts doesn't matter as long as you do it with sincere commitment," he told Malay Mail.
 
Earlier this month, the Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Devasthanam temple in Penang, popularly called Waterfall Hilltop temple, obtained almost 25,000 coconuts for Thaipusam archanai (prayer offering) reasons.
 
 
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Thaipusam

G GOWTHAM

11/02/2025 09:20 AM