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Thaipusam 2015
03 Feb 2015 — Thaipusam celebrates the victory of Lord Muruga over the Surapadman devil. Lord Muruga is seen as the granter of favours and if a wish is granted, devotees are required to repay Him through offerings such as kavadis. Thaipusam is also a thanksgiving festival dedicated to Lord Muruga for answering prayers. Devotees prepare themselves for Thaipusam spiritually by fasting and praying before performing acts of penance or thanksgiving like carrying kavadis and paal kudam (pots filled with milk) up the stairs leading to the temple to make or fulfil their vows. Many also pierce their bodies with sharp metal objects. Thaipusam has been celebrated in Batu Caves since 1891, making this year the 125th anniversary of Thaipusam in Batu Caves. More than a million people visited the Batu Caves temple for this year's Thaipusam.
Devotees walk up the stairs of Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival near Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, February 3, 2105.
A Hindu devotee with piercings in his cheeks and body during the Thaipusam festival in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
A devotee with piercings in his back during the Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee makes his way towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, February 3, 2015.
A woman performing a ritual smashes a coconut ahead of the Thaipusam celebration in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees present their offerings to Lord Muruga whose statue is taken in a silver chariot from Little India to Hill Top temple in the Botanical Gardens ahead of the Thaipusam celebration in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees take flowers in return for their offerings to Lord Muruga during a tour around George Town ahead of the Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees carry their offerings to be presented to Lord Muruga whose statue is taken in a silver chariot around George Town ahead of the Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
Devotees seen at Rope Walk in George Town, Penang during today’s Thaipusam celebration. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee with his cheeks pierced waits for his turn at Rope Walk before making his way up to the Waterfall Hill Top temple during the Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
Devotees shave after they perform their rituals at Batu Caves during today’s Thaipusam festival. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees carry milk pots for pilgrims as they proceed towards the temple during today’s Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees carry milk pots for pilgrims as they proceed towards the temple during today’s Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees perform rituals during today’s Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
A man carries a kavadi towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees make their way towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
A devotee makes his way towards the temple during today’s Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees perform religious rites before taking part in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees perform religious rites before taking part in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee performs a ritual bath during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee performs a ritual bath during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee with his back pierced performs a ritual bath during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees perform religious rites before taking part in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 3, 2015.
A devotee walks on sharp blades as he makes his way towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee carries a kavadi towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee with his back pierced makes his way towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees perform religious rites before taking part in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee carries a milk pot as she proceed towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A general view of the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee prays during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee carries a kavadi towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees perform religious rites before taking part in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee makes his way towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
A Hindu devotee reacts as he makes his way towards the temple during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees carry kavadis at Rope Walk before walking for 4 kilometres to Waterfall Hill Top temple in the Botanical Gardens during today’s Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
A devotee covered with hundreds of silver body piercings climbs up the 500 steps to reach Waterfall Hill Top temple during today’s Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
Hindu devotees pierced with hooks attached to ropes pull a cart carrying a statue of a Hindu god as they make their way to Waterfall Hill Top temple during today’s Thaipusam celebration in Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 3, 2015.
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