Thaipusam

In the morning of Thaipusam's first day, pilgrims begin a 13km procession to bring Lord Murugan statue from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves. KL, Malaysia
Devotes shave their head as an act of plea to Lord Murugan. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Devotes shave their head as an act of plea to Lord Murugan. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Pilgrims cleanse themselves near the river. Batu Caves (Malaysia)
A devotee has her body painted before preparing to embark for the pilgrimage to the Temple Cave. Batu caves (Malaysia)
A kid is blessed by a pilgrim. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Hindu devotees have their backs pierced and hooked with limes, bells or flowers before their pilgrimage to the Temple Cave. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Piercing the tongue and the cheeks is intended as a mean to meditate by keeping silent. Batu caves (Malaysia)
A devotee has his back pierced by dozens of hooks during a painful ritual in demonstration of faith and penance. Batu caves (Malaysia)
A devotee is pulled by the mean of hooks pierced into his back. Pilgrims believe that following this strict ritual will cleans their sins and grant their prayers. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Hindu devotees have their backs pierced and hooked with limes, bells or flowers before their pilgrimage to the Batu Caves. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Pilgrims are adorned with complex fabrics and jewels. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Most devotees enter in state of trance during the piercing as a result of excessive smoking, chanting and drumming. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Most devotees enter in state of trance during the piercing as a result of excessive smoking, chanting and drumming. Batu caves (Malaysia)
During their pilgrimage, devotes perform kavadi, a series of physical burdens meant to implore for help from the God Murugan. Batu Caves (Malaysia)
A devotee pulling people by the mean of hooks pierced into his back. This strict ritual will cleans their sins and grant their prayers. Batu caves (Malaysia)
A children with his family on the way to the Temple Cave. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Hindu devotees have their backs pierced and hooked with limes, bells or flowers before their pilgrimage to the Batu Caves. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Devotes carrying milk offerings along the 272-step stairway leading up to the Temple Cave. Batu caves (Malaysia)
Around 1.5 million pilgrims converge to the Temple Cave during the Thaipusam festival. Batu caves (Malaysia)

Thaipusam is a journey of faith, a celebration of colors, of sounds, a stronghold of Hindu beliefs and culture. During the Tamil month of Thai, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gather to Batu Caves, Malaysia, to thank Lord Muruga for granting their wishes and protecting from illnesses.

Thaipusam, a journey of faith

Thaipusam

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