KUALA LUMPUR – Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple (SMMDT) trustee Datuk Sivakumar Nadaraja has revealed that the volume of unwanted footwear collected and discarded at Batu Caves during Thaipusam 2025 has surged to 3.5 tonnes, up from three tonnes in 2024.
He the disposal of footwear has become an ongoing issue, creating inconvenience not only for the temple’s visitors but also for its management.
“We have engaged contractors who handle the removal of footwear, which is then discarded at the designated dump site,” Sivakumar explained in an interview with Scoop.
He clarified that the discarded shoes and sandals are not recycled, with the majority left around the temple’s staircase or near the smaller temple situated beneath the Upper Cave.
“When devotees come to pray, they should be mindful not to enter with shoes or slippers. It’s best to leave them in their vehicles as footwear is strictly prohibited within the temple grounds, particularly inside the temple itself,” he said.
Thaipusam is a significant Hindu festival observed in Malaysia in honour of Lord Murugan. Devotees often fulfil their vows during this time, carrying milk pots or undertaking the challenging “Kavadi” bearing—metal or wooden structures carried as an act of devotion.
Furthermore, Sivakumar pointed out that on Thaipusam day, it is mandatory for devotees to ascend the stairs to the Upper Cave barefoot.
The trustee also noted that providing a designated area for visitors to store their footwear is not feasible due to the overwhelming number of people—often exceeding one million—who visit Batu Caves during the festival.
He jokingly suggested that some devotees might leave their shoes behind as a symbolic gesture of shedding their past sins and beginning anew.
“Perhaps they feel burdened by their slippers, and on this day, they leave that burden behind at the temple, feeling cleansed in their own way,” he said with a smile.
Despite this light-hearted remark, Sivakumar stressed the importance of addressing the issue seriously.
“This year, I hope the public will heed this simple piece of advice: whoever comes to the temple to pray, please remove your slippers, keep them in a safe place, and then enter the temple,” he urged. – January 9, 2026