Hundreds of thousands of Malaysian Hindus, some piercing their skin with hooks and skewers to show their devotion, gathered in temples across the country on Monday to mark Thaipusam.
The annual Hindu festival sees believers carry offerings to places of worship to the deity Murugan and marks the day when his mother — the goddess Parvathi — gave him a powerful lance to fight demons.
It is observed mainly in countries with significant populations of ethnic Tamils — descended from people who originally came from southern India — including Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore.
Massive crowds thronged the Batu Caves complex outside Kuala Lumpur as incense and drums filled the air.
Kumaraguru Kunalan said he took part in the festival for his health and his children’s education.Photo: AFP
Many had trekked for hours to reach the popular pilgrimage site before the final arduous climb up 272 steps to reach the temples set in caves.
This picture taken on January 20, 2019 shows Kumaraguru Kunalan (C), 38, climbing 272 steps to a Batu Caves temple carrying “kavadi” offerings on his shoulders for a religious pilgrimage during Thaipusam festival celebrations at a complex of temples outside Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
A huge variety of offerings, known as “kavadi”, were on show — from simple pots of milk balanced on pilgrims’ heads, to poles slung across shoulders, and large portable altars decorated with feathers and flowers.
Milk, Skewers, and a Heavy‑Duty Pole: A Pilgrimage That Was Anything But Ordinary
Picture this: a man named Kumaraguru Kunalan stepping up to his 30‑th spiritual trek, eyes blazing with devotion and a heavy wooden pole balanced atop his shoulders. His dad, Kunalan Nadarajah, is just as determined—and oddly, he’s choosing to splash milk all over himself as a sign of thanks to the Hindu god Murugan.
The Ritual, Broken Down
- Milk Splash: Because nothing says prayer louder than a generous shower of dairy.
- Metal Skewer Trick: A precise bite of metal that sticks into his tongue—yes, it’s that dramatic.
- Back‑loaded Pole: A hefty wooden staff hitching a ride on his back, probably soggy with sweat.
- Big Plus One: Kumaraguru joins his dad, making this five‑step saga a shared family affair.
Why the Bizarre Mix?
“I wanted to give thanks,” Kumaraguru says, his voice as rough as the pole’s wood. “It’s a tradition that blends old‑school devotion with a dash of the daring. And honestly, a few liters of milk look pretty good on a sunny day at Batu Caves.”
Moments of Mystical Comedy
Picture a couple of bulky men, one clutching a pole, the other dripping milk, both insisting that this is “exactly the way the gods want it.” The scene has the makings of a classic sitcom episode—only here the punchline is faith, not a laugh track.
In Closing
While the world may chuckle emoji‑wise, for these two brothers, the pilgrimage is pure practice. Whether it’s a milky bath, a metallic bite, or a back‑packed pole, each element is a humble offering in a stubborn‑to‑receive god who loves sincere, if a touch unconventional, gestures.
A Day with a Steel Tongue
On January 20, 2019, a snapshot lights up the bustling Batu Caves temple complex outside Kuala Malaysia. The picture captures 38‑year‑old Kumaraguru Kunalan, a father of four, in the midst of a trance, one of those little religious rituals that folks perform at the Thai Pusam festival.
It’s All About Prayer and Family
“For me, it’s about asking for good health, my children’s education,” the man told AFP. In a society where spirituality is woven into daily life, this focus isn’t just a personal wish—it’s a shared communal request. Every week, as the festival rolls out, devotees stick to a strict routine: daily prayers, a no‑sex vow, no haircuts, and a vegetarian diet that lasts through weeks of devotion.
Remember, It’s a Family Affair
Despite the bold, sometimes intense displays (a steel skewer through the tongue isn’t for everyone!), Pusam turns out to be quite a family-friendly event. Elders step down beside their grandchildren, marching side‑by‑side, proving that faith and family can travel together—no matter how ugly the tongue‑piercing looks.
Quick Recipe for Pusam Prep
- Daily prayer rituals
- Abstain from sex
- No cutting hair – folks keep it long
- Vegetarian for weeks leading up to the day
So if you ever find yourself standing in a temple with a steel skewer in your tongue, remember it’s all part of a larger story—a story about family, faith, and the pursuit of a healthier future for the next generation.
Kumaraguru (L) received a blessing from his father the day before the festival.Photo: AFP
There are no rules on what kind of kavadis devotees are required to carry on their pilgrimage, and the choice is a personal preference, Kumaraguru said.
This picture taken on January 20, 2019 shows hundreds of Hindu devotees making their pilgrimage a Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival celebrations at a complex of temples outside Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Most of Malaysia’s roughly 32 million people are Muslim Malays, but the country is also home to more than two million Indians, most of whom are descendants of labourers brought from southern India during British colonial rule.
Walking the Path of Faith: Thaipusam at Batu Caves
Picture this: It’s January 20, 2019, and a sea of colourful kites, twanging brass drums, and bright orange saris fills the air around Batu Caves, the holy site that sits like a giant limestone temple complex outside Kuala Lumpur. The mood? Spirited, a little chaotic, and absolutely electric. “Hundreds of Hindu devotees” line up, each one a living story of devotion and daring, and all of them head toward the idol of Lord Murugan to celebrate their community’s most significant festival.
Why Thaipusam is a Festival Like No Other
- It’s the day the deity’s arrival was celebrated (as per some calendars) and the day the Mueang Thang Jampu (the cock-fighting tournament) is traditionally held.
- Vows & Penances are central – some devotees carry boards (“kavadi”) or pierce their bodies with hooks to show their faith.
- It’s a trip to jungle – the whole experience of traversing the hill to the caves is itself considered an act of penance.
What Makes the Pilgrimage a Humorous (and Touching) Experience
Picture a trove of tongues and tongues: Drummers pumping out a rhythm to make the whole crowd feel that “witness” in their heart. Every drummer shakes and shivers with heartbeats – it’s a silly, laugh-inducing though deeply spiritual experience. When a devotee thrusts a hook at their tongue and keeps singing for the next order – it isn’t exactly “Intense,” but Becoming more courageous each step.
Bringing Emotional Heat
The gigantic curiosities and weeping bells inside the caves make the air vibrate with the power of the surroundings, sprouting a symphonic voice that told each member of the ritual duty. The laughter of a small child who stumbles over the “medal of sacrifice” in the second step echoes the everyday energy of joy.
At the end of the day, after a touring fraaasese – that is, when the “Cometic Psalms” (a comedy with a joke force) toss a little rainbow to keep the win – the overcharging makes it the very talk.
Where to Next?
Follow overseas, that’s a wonderful thing, next’s like a festival of shooting the emblem but not only: the presence of rattle jumbles, the temple’s legendary path, the blessing, and the best food in the region is a good shot.
