Thaipusam: Wholesaler prepares 80,000 coconuts
GEORGE TOWN: A coconut wholesaler in Jalan Dato Keramat here is preparing 80,000 coconuts to meet demand ahead of the Thaipusam festival on Jan 25.
The owner of Joez Coconut, M. Joel Jayachandran, 38, said 50,000 coconuts have already been ordered so far by customers from various states and even overseas, including Singapore and London.
He said all of the ‘kelapa mawar’ are sourced directly from farms in Bagan Datuk, Perak and are sold at RM1.90 each.
"We usually receive orders for about 100,000 coconuts (per month) during the low season, but demand increases during Thaipusam or festive seasons. This year, we are supplying 80,000 coconuts for Thaipusam alone, the same as last year.
"If there is insufficient supply, we get them from other farms in Perak. Usually, the suppliers increase the price by 20 to 30 sen, but I still sell for RM1.90 per coconut and this price has not been increased for several years," he told Bernama when met at his shop yesterday.
According to Joel, the company was founded in 2001 by his father A. Mazivanan, 66, and he has now taken it over, with his father acting as an advisor.
"Most of the customers who order them are regulars and have been buying since my father's time. So I do not really think about profit because their satisfaction is my priority and I will do my best to make sure
there is enough supply," he said, adding there are also orders from temple authorities.
Joel explained that all coconut supplies are delivered to his shop at night to avoid damage and breakage from the hot weather when they are delivered during the day.
They then go through a selection process and only quality coconuts are selected
and packaged to be distributed to customers, with each pack containing 50 coconuts.
He said eight workers are assigned to these tasks and he is also hiring part-time workers to ensure that deliveries can be made to the designated locations on Jan 23 and 26 as scheduled.
Thaipusam is a festival celebrated in the month of ‘Thai’, which is the 10th month in the
Tamil calendar to commemorate the event of Goddess Parvati giving her son Lord Murugan a divine spear ‘Vel’ to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman and restore prosperity and wellbeing to humanity.
The breaking of coconuts during Thaipusam is a cleansing ritual practiced by Hindu devotees and it symbolises surrendering one's ego at the feet of God.