Thaipusam at Batu Caves

Thaipusam is a big Hindu feast taking place on the "Thai" month full moon. Which was exactly the last January day. Once we had been acknowledged it happens when we are supposed to be close we have decided not to miss it and designed our schedule around it. Even it means some extra time and distance to travel.

It takes place at the Batu Caves (and in smaller scale on a few other places too) as it is the most important Hindu temple out of India. Located already within the Kuala Lumpur)

After our arival the day before the actual Thaipusam day we had a lunch, left our car close to our accomodation and took a Grab to the Batu Caves to see it before it becomes overcrowded. Many people around already. And stalls too. Selling from indian sweets through chinese toys (though dealing and discussions...) to massive wooden altairs (some of them even LED lighted).

The huge and spectacular statue of Lord Murugan guiding the steep strairway to the large cave dome entrance. And a monkey gang wandering around the top of the stairs. Inside turists, prayers undergoing several rituals, hens and cocks, pidgeons, sparrows and one squirrel. Mixed smell of fruit, incense sticks guano and high humidity. True Hindu atmosphere.

After returnig back down from the cave Kate and the kids took a first available taxi and went to check in to our accomodation as it was already too hot and crowded. And in our, to move in, place (a small flat within a new condominium) was a great outdoor pool (in the 6th floor) to cool down the kids. And there were also shared gym and separate saunas by the way.

Lukas had wisely chosen this pool equipped place to have a space and time for himself to fully enjoy photographing the Thaipusam. Which he successfully did that day until his camera battery needed to be recharged and on the (next) "Thaipusam day" from the very early morning till the lunch time.

The whole procession and rituals were nicely colourful, highly spectacular and very photogenic. Especially the body piercing of tongue, face and backs (as most common). But rather than our potentially misleading description we suggest and encourage you to find more precise and full information elsewhere. Definitely it was crowded and it was hot. But it was truly unforgettable experience.