Me and my friend went there around 4am plus and it wasn't that hard to get a parking like my friend told me(roadside parking =P). We reached there quite late thus we missed the river bathing and piercing ceremony. By the time we reached, all the devotees started to walk up heading to the Temple Cave.
Murugan Statue
Thaipusam celebrates the day Goddess Parvati bestowed upon her son the “vel” or lance to vanquish the evil demon, Soorapadam. This lance denotes spiritual insight, ability to differentiate right from wrong, righteousness and steadfastness.
However, for many Hindus, Thaipusam has come to mean the birthday of Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Muruga, the younger son of Lord Shiva.Hindus celebrate Thaipusam on the tenth month of their calendar. It coincides with the full moon at the end of January and beginning of February 'Thai' is the Hindu month which falls between January 15 to February 15 and 'Pusam' refers to a star which is at its brightest during the period of this festival.
In K. Lumpur, it culminates in a three-day Thaipusam festival which begins from Sri Mahamariaman Temple at Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in Chinatown and ends at Batu Caves. On the eve of the celebration, Lord Muruga’s image is decorated with diamonds, rubies and other jewels. The Idols together with those of his two consorts Valli and Deivayani represent the spiritual and worldly energies (shakti), is placed on a bed of flowers with burning incense on the sides.
In the wee hours of the morning, the five-tonne chariot is pulled by two bulls and hundreds of devotees on its 15 km journey from Chinatown to Batu Caves. The procession weaves through major streets of the city and takes about 8 hours to reach its destination. A prayer ceremony is held at the foot of the caves and the flag of Lord Muruga is hoisted to announce the commencement of the celebrations.
KAVADI ( OFFERING)
The preparations start 48 days prior to the two day Thaipusam festival. The devotees purge themselves of all mental and physical impurities. They take only one vegetarian meal per day and 24 hours prior to Thaipusam, they must maintain a complete fast. The devotees prepare themselves by following strict purification austerities that include:
- Transcendence of desire
- Shaving of the head
- Following a vegetarian diet and refraining from alcohol
- Sexual abstinence
- Bathing in cold water
- Sleeping on the floor
- Regular prayers
Milk Offering
Kavadi (offering) carriers are devotees who have requested favours, and have had their favour granted or wish to atone for past misdeeds. Usually, a vow is made to carry the kavadi for one, three, five or even seven years in succession. Common requests are recovery from illness, success in examinations or business or to beget progeny. Most of them carry pots of milk or a pair of coconuts slung across their shoulders instead. Traditional musical instruments are played, and chants of "Vel, Vel" fill the air.
PIERCING
~THAIPUSAM 2012 Recap~
~Shaving heads~
The devotees believe by shaving their head, it will purify them and as the heads are shaved their sins are also removed along with their hair and they become pure as they were at the time of their birth.
Young boy carrying a smaller version of kavadi
=) ~He was carrying a kavadi and body full with pierces with a smiley face~ ( =
~Resting while waiting for their turn to go up~
~Rehydrate yourself with revive~
~They were waiting for the queue to enter the Temple Cave after climbed up 272 stairs~
8.30am - The number of peoples heading up the Temple Cave continuously increase
~Dancing with Kavadi~
*all the videos recorded without sound-forgot to turn on microphone =( *
.....:::Experience it at least once in your lifetime:::.....
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