Colourful Festivals of Malaysia - Thaipusam

Thaipusam is one of the top colourful festival that is celebrated in Malaysia, usually either in late January to early February (in 2019 it falls on 21st January) as the dates are based on the Tamil/Indian calendar.

This festival commemorates the occasion of Lord Murugan being given the powerful Vel or spear by his mother the Goddess Pavarti, which he then uses to vanquish the evil Asura Soorapadman. Central to this festival is the Kavadi Attam or the Burden Performance carried out by devotees as a form of penance and devotion to Lord Murugan. 

The carrying of 'burden' can be as simple as a pot of milk, or extend to the elaborate and towering decorated altars that are carried via hooks and rods that pierces the body of the devotee. Hence the festival is sometimes known as festival of piercings. Whilst some devotees appear to be in a trance when pierced and carrying the burden, others appear to be deeply absorbed in meditative state of mind.

A female devotee rolling on the ground until the steps of the
caves as part of her penance. Helping her along the way are
her family members.

In Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves is a popular spot to observe this festival and be forewarned that the energy is really high and explosive, and the crowds maddening. Devotees take on their burden at a spot by the river across the main road, just follow the stream of devotees and you will find it.

In Penang, there are many locations where the devotees are pierced. The market area of Lorong Kulit (behind the city stadium) is where the large kavadis are placed onto the devotees and a good place to catch glimpses of those scary piercings.