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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 - credit to Malaysia's expat info center p/s: Happy holiday to all Malaysians |
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