Thaipusam - A Must Visit Event in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur & Penang

Thousands of devotees & visitors throng Batu Caves during

Thaipusam day

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.