Malaysia through the lenses of a Mat Salleh: Episode 3
Thaipusam in Batu Caves
Malaysia through the lenses of a Mat Salleh
By Philippe A.Durant
Thanks again to those who are following my photographic journey, for all the appreciation.
Day 3: Thaipusam in Batu Caves
“Thaipusam or Thaipoosam is a festival celebrated by the Tamil Hindu community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February), usually coinciding with the Pushya star known as Poosam in Tamil or Pooyam in Malayalam. The festival is also observed among Keralites and is vernacularly called Thaipooyam”. (Wikipedia). Malaysia is one of the countries where the festival is still fully observed and intensely celebrated by hundreds of thousand devotees around the country, most notably in Kuala Lumpur.
For me, it is certainly the most fascinating three days in the calendar. The photography shows how the fervour and ardour are sometimes overwhelming but always captivating. The smells, and mostly the sounds are certainly missing but the emotions are there. I was fortunate to witness the event in Batu Caves and its surroundings for three consecutive years. It is so sad that it could not happen in 2021. Here is a small selection of the hundreds of photos I took around the sacred temple.
Do follow my daily postings about different themes and/or location and do not hesitate to comment constructively. Embark in a photographic journey in Malaysia through the lenses of a Mat Salleh.
Bon voyage.
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