Celebrated
on the 10th month of the Hindu calendar, Thaipusam, which falls in
January or February each year, is a day of penance and
thanksgiving for Hindus. The festival is celebrated in honour of
Lord Muruga (also known as Lord Subramaniam) and Hindus believe
that sins can be cleansed during Thaipusam.
Many who take part in
the festival prepare themselves by cleansing their bodies through
fasting and abstinence, usually observing a vegetarian diet for a
certain period of time. On the eve of the festival, the image of
Lord Muruga, on a be jewelled silver chariot, is pull along by 2
bulls. As the traditional abode of Lord Muruga is a hill or
mountain, in Kuala Lumpur this grand procession culminates at Batu
Caves where many devotees carry the image of Lord Muruga up 272
steps to the temple cave.
Many devotees carry 'kavadis' - ornate
frames supported by metal spikes and hooks inserted into their
bodies- without blood being let. Thousands of fresh coconuts are
also smashed along the route of the procession.
Batu Caves
Batu Caves, located
in Gombak district, is said to be the most popular tourist
destination in Selangor. It has never ceased to attract visitors,
both local and foreign.
Only 15 km north of
Kuala Lumpur, the caves consist of three main caves and a number of
smaller ones. Visitors could reach the top cave via the 272 steps
built specially to scale the steep, jagged face of the limestone
outcrop.
During
the Thaipusam festival, Batu Caves hosts the largest gathering of
Hindu devotees in Malaysia. Thaipusam is a religious festival where
Hindus pay annual homage to Lord Muruga. The highlight of this
celebration is the kavadi procession. Close to 800,000 people throng
Batu Caves for this celebration.
-
View Thaipusam video
Previous
Travel Malaysia's article:
-
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Celebration in Malaysia
-
Deepavali in Malaysia
-
Wesak Day Celebration
-
Mid-Autumn / Mooncake Festival
-
Fireflies in Kuala Selangor
- Pangkor Laut Resort
-
The
many faces of KLCC
-
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia FRIM
-
Thean Hou Temple Kuala Lumpur
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