Thaipusam in Malaysia

And for those planning to visit Malaysia, the Thaipusam festival (தைப்பூசம்) takes place on a very large scale at the Batu Caves in Selangor at the end of January or even early February.

If you should also know, Batu Caves is the main place in Malaysia where it is celebrated on a massive scale with over a million people coming here.

The word Thaipusam is actually derived from the month name of Thai and a star name which is Pusam.

Devotees perform vows by carrying containers of milk and even Kavadi’s as offering to Lord Murugan, the Tamil God of War all the way up to the temple, climbing 272 steps up as debt bondage.

Some devotees even shave their heads to perform the vows and this can be seen outside the temple grounds.

Devotees performing their vows at Batu Caves

An example would be when the devotee’s child has a life-threatening sickness, the devotee would pray to Kartikeya also known as Murugan or Shanmuga (One with 6 Faces) to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow and dedicate a Kavadi to the god.

Other more intricate ones are huge and may rise up to two or three meters. These massive Kavadi’s are built of bowed metal frames that hold long skewers, the sharpened end of which pierce the skin of the bearers torso. 

Some of the standard Kavadi weigh about 10 to 20 kilograms while the heavier ones may weigh anywhere from 30 to 100 kilograms. 

Then the devotees make their way on foot on the main road towards the entrance of Batu Caves. From there, the head on to the Temple Cave and climb the flights of 272 stairs to the main temple in the cave.

The entire festival is an amazing sight to witness if you are there and also a great opportunity to take photographs. 

You can see them dancing or in another world. It is best to give them away when they pass and not obstruct them. 

You will notice that I have left out the more intense photos which can be quite disturbing for some people. Anyway, each photograph here will have a description of what is happening too. 

Anyone can take photographs there, however, you should always respect the devotee and give him or her their space to perform their rituals and vows.

Here are some simple photography rules for Thaipusam;

The devotees start as early as 5.00am but it is recommended you be there at around 7-8 in the morning and stay for a few hours. You can also refer to my previous article on Batu Caves. 

Note that due to the massive celebrations, grabbing a bus or taxi back can be a little difficult. However, you can walk about 1 kilometre away from the temple and catch public transports. 

There are vendors selling food, water and cold can drink around the festival, but at double the price. However, you can bring packed food like burgers or power bars if you must. 

Like for me, I carry my backpack in front of my body. I don’t even have my wallet or phone in my pocket, everything in my backpack and secured in the front. 

If the weather is nice, hot and humid, it can turn into a sweat bath so bring a towel or tissue. Nothing beats being here and seeing what goes on during this incredible and amazing festival.

Any questions or comments about Thaipusam in Malaysia, please leave them in the comment form below.