Share with others
17 Jan 2016 — Clad in black, ashes on the forehead, carrying offering wrapped in a piece of cloth and walking barefoot from several temples around George Town, devotees of Ayyappa in Penang take part in an annual worship every January 14. The deity is mainly worshipped in Kerala, south India. The number of pilgrims here reaches thousands and their final destination is the Ayyappa temple in the Penang Botanical Garden. Before the big day, pilgrims observe a 60-day penance during which they abstain from shaving, sexual intercourse and a vegetarian diet.
Pilgrims chanting while on procession to the Ayyappa temple in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim having the face coloured with powder by fellow pilgrims. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Ayyappa pilgrims waiting for the procession to begin at the Sri Ramar Temple in Jalan York, George Town, after dawn. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A father helping his daughter with her offering during a procession to the Ayyappa temple. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pilgrims praying at one of the temples along the procession route. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A Hindu priest bathing the Ayyappa deity at the Sri Meenatchi Sundareswarar temple in the Botanical Garden. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim in a trance-like state is assisted by another pilgrim. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim rubbing colour powder on another pilgrim's face during the celebration at the Sri Meenatchi Sundareswarar temple in the Botanical Garden. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim covered in powder. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A group of pilgrims marking the moment with music when colour powder is scattered at the Ayyappan celebrations. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Young pilgrims dancing while washing away colour powder. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim dissolving into laughter while washing away the colour powder. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pilgrims dancing and marking the moment when colour powder is scattered during the celebrations. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim washing away colour powder before proceeding with the journey to the Ayyappan temple. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pilgrims carrying their offerings on the head along the procession. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pilgrims climbing to the temple as they reach their destination. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pilgrims smashing coconuts in worshipping Ayyappa. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pilgrims at the final stretch, walking up the stairs to reach the Ayyappan temple. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Pendants bearing images of Ayyappa. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
A pilgrim contemplating at the Ayyappan temple. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 17, 2016.
Copyright © 2024 Edge Insider Sdn Bhd. All rights reserved.