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Thaipusam Celebration ( 6 )

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Danielle
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ThaipusamThe Great Tamil Festival
Thaipusam is one of the biggest Hindu celebrations in Malaysia, perhaps second only to Deepavali. On Thaipusam day, it is not uncommon to find over a million devotees and thousands of curious onlookers participating in the festivals held in temples across the country. It is reported that celebration of Thaipusam in Malaysia began in 1892, led by the Tamils who migrated to Malaya at that time.
According to Hinduism, the story of Thaipusam began from the evil deeds of the rakshasha Soorapadman who terrorized and tormented all the good souls in the universe. Thaipusam is the festival to commemorate the event where Parvathi, the consort of the major Hindu deity Lord Siva, presents the newly-born Lord Murugan with a golden spear which was eventually used to vanquish the evil Soorapadman.
Although there are a number of Indian temples in the country that celebrate Thaipusam, the celebration in Kuala Lumpur is undoubtedly the biggest. On the eve of Thaipusam every year, a sea of devotees and tourists congregate at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, where a 15-km journey to the Batu Caves temple will begin.
Believers surround a chariot bearing a statue of Lord Murugan—usually kept in Sri Mahariamman Temple for most of the year—and escort it throughout the 8-hour journey towards Batu Caves. The procession is usually accompanied by music, religious and dance groups. After reaching Batu Caves, devotees will carry the idol up the 272 steps of the temple.
An important part of the Thaipusam festival is the Kavadi—a "physical burden" which devotees will carry through which they "implore help from the God Murugan." Some carry large jugs of milk, while others carry different offerings. However, for many people, the most memorable part of Thaipusam would certainly be the spectacular feats of the devotees in carrying the Vel Kavadi—a portable altar attached to the devotees with nothing but hooks and spears that pierce the skin.
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