On the January 31st, it was the Thaipusam festival and we as Malaysian especially west Malaysia announce it as a public holiday. Mark, a friend of mine where I get to know from the recent LiveWire media conference gave an idea to do a photography outing for that special event.
My place Bandar Baru Selayang to Batu Caves is just 10 minutes away but because of the hectic traffic jam, my friend took about 1 hour to reach my place, so I can actually imagine the jam near Batu Caves at that point of time. We reach there at about 4am and the place was already packed with devotees, tourists and photographers.
For those who don't know what is Thaipusam all about, here are some of the facts I got from wikipedia :)
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). It is also referred to as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam in the Malayalam language. The word Thai-pusam is derived from the month name Thai and Pusam, which refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of God Shiva and his wife Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
This is Batu Caves at 4am on the 31st January 2010
To me, the scene there was quite an eye opening as this was my first time to witness such an event at Batu Caves, my heart was literally assaulted to look at the faith of the Devotees who carry kavadis ('burdens' in Tamil) - paal kudams (milk pots), portable altars decorated with peacock feathers, small or big kavadis, all the way to the top. Chants of 'Vel! Vel!' ring out with the steps taken and also the pain that they did not felt at that moment, piercing through their whole body and face...
Facts: Devotees participating in Thaipusam, especially if they are carrying kavadi, prepare for the festival anywhere between one month to nine days before the festival. These preparations can include not to cut their hair nor shave and abstain from carnal pleasures.
The biggest achievement on that day for me is to climb all the way up 272 steps with the devotees. In my heart I really felt the honor to shout out 'I made it!' as loud as I can but that will be pretty odd for me to do so... haha...! :D
-PEACE-
For more photos of the festival, do click here!

wow!! sooo crowded there!!!
ReplyDeletebtw...nice photos!!!
first pic very colorful! the black bg brings out the color! so niceeee XD
ReplyDeletethe feeling of seeing men being pierced is definitely something eerie..
ReplyDelete*gulp
wonder how they can resist the pain?
nite there more clear..
ReplyDeletefrom Nikel Khor
Its nothing like Singapore's celebration.
ReplyDeleteWah...u went there? Sure jam...how long it takes you to reach there?
ReplyDeleteVery crowded indeed. But at least you DID managed to climb up 272 steps. Which is quite an achievement. :D Haha..
ReplyDeletereally nice photos you got here. very exotic.
ReplyDeleteyou took jalan belakang or not?? back road not o crowded...
ReplyDeleteNice pictures
Awesome shots! I only visited Batu Caves during the Pre-Thaipusam celebration. I think I'll follow your plan for next year celebration. Would LOVE to see for myself from early morning to the actual day festival.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
mylo
nice photos.
ReplyDeleteWuah nice coverage. Btw, punya ramai tu urang at the stairs @_@
ReplyDeleteNo pictures inside the cave? I had to work on that public holiday!!! T,T
ReplyDelete