THAIPUSAM commemorates the day when, according to Hindu belief, the goddess Pavarthi gave Lord Muruga a lance to slay demons.
Thaipusam is observed by Hindus in the month of “Thai” in the Tamil calendar to commemorate the act of Goddess Parvati presenting the vel (lance) to her son Lord Muruga, also known as Lord Subramaniam, as the embodiment of her shakti, or power, to vanquish evil and restore peace.
At the 233-year-old temple in Batu Caves, more than a million Hindu devotees and tourists throng the temple, which after some renovations, is sporting a vibrant new look.
The colourful 272 steps leading up to the temple has become an attraction among visitors, many of whom have taken the opportunity to snap photos and selfies.
In Penang, more than one million Hindu devotees, especially from the northern states of Malaysia, and foreign tourists have flocked to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple) at Jalan Waterfall, during this year’s festival. – January 21, 2019.
Hindu devotees making their way towards the temple at the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, January 21, 2019.Devotees climbing the steps to Batu Caves during the hindu festival of Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 21, 2019.Hindu devotees presenting their offerings to the priests on the Silver Chariot during the Thaipusam festival in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, January 21, 2019.A Hindu devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced, carrying a milk pot known as ‘kavadis’ for pilgrims as he makes his way towards the temple at the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, January 21, 2019.Hindu devotees performing religious rites near the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, January 21, 2019.A Hindu devotee making her way towards the temple at the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, January 21, 2019.Hindu devotees perform religious rites near the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, January 21, 2019.Hindu devotees and tourists surround the Golden Chariot as it moves through the streets of George Town during the Thaipusam festival in Penang today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, January 21, 2019A Hindu devotee grimacing while being hooked and pierced as he prepares to carry the kavadi during the Thaipusam festival in George Town, Penang today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, January 21, 2019.A Hindu devotee getting his face and tongue hooked and pierced during the Thaipusam festival in George Town, Penang today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, January 21, 2019.Hindu devotees with milk pots hooked onto their body and their tongues pierced walking towards the Botanical temples during the Thaipusam festival in George Town, Penang today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, January 21, 2019.A Hindu devotee carrying a milk pot as he takes part in a procession during Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 21, 2019.A Hindu devotee carrying a kavadi during Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 21, 2019.A Hindu devotee carrying a kavadi during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 21, 2019.A boy holding a milk pot as he participates in a procession during Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 21, 2019.Hindu devotees wait for prayer during Thaipusam festival in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, Pahang. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 21, 2019.A devotee tongue is being pierced during Thaipusam festival in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, Pahang. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 21, 2019.A devotee sits as he drinks milk from a bottle during Thaipusam festival in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, Pahang. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 21, 2019.
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