Travel-Kuala Lumpur, Thaipusam

Today I’m doing the weekly Travel Thursday post because here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TODAY is THAIPUSAM.  If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Kuala Lumpur, or any other country that celebrates Thaipusam during this time of year, the festivities are a must-see!  Last year, my husband and I ventured to Batu Caves to take part in this experience…we are so glad we had the opportunity to see something like this in our lifetime.

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February).  Not only is Thaipusam celebrated in countries where the Tamil community is a majority, but it’s also celebrated in countries like Mauritius, Singapore and of course, here in Malaysia.

Thaipusam is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan, also known as Lord Subramaniam, the son of Shiva and Parvati.  Lord Subramaniam is the universal granter of wishes and responsible for combating evil deeds.  Therefore, Thaipusam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.  On this day, devotees who wish to ask for a favor, fulfill a vow in return for a granted favor, or to repent for their past sins participate in this festival.

On the day of Thaipusam, devotees begin the celebration by shaving their heads before embarking on their pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion.

Next, the devotees bathe in a nearby river, as shown below, before going into a trance-like state.  This state is due to the constant drumming and chanting of “vel vel shakti vel.”  Then they begin their pilgrimage by carrying various types of kavadi (burdens) to the temple.  Here in Kuala Lumpur the procession starts at Sri Mahamariamman Temple in the heart of the city and proceeds for about 24 miles to Batu Caves.  This journey takes almost 8-hours by foot and ends with an arduous climb up 272 steps to the top of the cave temple!  During this procession, the devotees carry yellow and orange fruits and flowers, Lord Murugan’s favorite colors.  Their dress also adorns the same colors.  They carry milk, water, fruit and floral tributes in pails and pots hung from ropes or balanced on their heads; the simplest types of kavadi.  However, there are other ways to show your devotion.

Other devotees believe the only way to salvation is to endure penance of pain and hardship.  This entails body piercing with hooks, skewers and small lances called “vel”…a very interesting occurrence during Thaipusam and one that I think is the reason behind the growing numbers of tourists, who strive to understand this unique cultural celebration.

WARNING:  SOME OF THE PICTURES BELOW MIGHT BE A  BIT GRAPHIC OR MIGHT MAKE YOU QUEASY.  PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND REMEMBER…you were warned.  It was hard for me to see in person.

Some even pierce their tongues and cheeks in order to impede their speech and therefore, attain full concentration on the Lord.  Supposedly, they are able to tolerate all this pain because of their trance-like state…and they also say, the greater the pain the more God-earned merit.  If you are interested in a more detailed account of this piercing, WE TOOK A VIDEO.

Another form of kavadi is a semi-circular, decorated canopy that is supported by wooden and metal rods and carried on the devotees shoulders, all the way to the temple.  This symbolizes the vehicle of the Lord.  The canopy can be covered in cloth and is usually decorated with peacock feathers, which represents the Lord turning evil into a peacock, as a mode of transportation.

The devotees continue on their journey to the Batu Caves up ahead in the distance.

After climbing the 272 steps and reaching their destination, they lay down their kavadi and pour the milk and other offerings on the statue of the deity, as an act of thanksgiving.  The devotees with piercings, hooks and skewers have a priest chant over them as the pieces are removed from their bodies and the wounds are treated with hot, burning ash.  I did not witness this occurrence, however, they say that there is no pain endured and no scarring left on their bodies.

So there you have it…not an everyday Tuesday here in Kuala Lumpur.  Happy Thaipusam!