Thaipusam 2014

Although i have been staying in Malaysia for the past 20 years, i have never participated in Thaipusm celebration ever before. Every year, i celebrated the Thaipusm with having an extra holiday in my calendar.

But now,looking at the opportunity to photograph, explore, and appreciate our local culture, i thought it will be a good idea to hang out with the participants of Thaipusm in Batu Cave! This year, it has recorded more than a million participants from all around Malaysia taking part in this festival!

Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting approximately 48 days before Thaipusam. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan.

Hooks pierced into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the hooks varying the level of pain.

The amount of people outside the temple, while in the temple, you can barely walk or even move in the queue. 

He kept his eye opened this big all the time, quite scary actually!

Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan.

Devotee rests along the way, the pilgrimage is very heavy.

Amount of people joined the festival, look at the people at the staircase.

A closer look at the staircase to Batu Cave.

Devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage/ kavadi (pot of milk) along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi.

Not only devotees are excited to participate, but also people from different culture.