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Thaipusam

 
 

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Thaipusam

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Thaipusam The Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple It is in this temple, in the Batu Caves, where the main celebrations take place for the festival of Thaipusam. © ZoonarN Sorokin / age fotostock

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  • The Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple

Thaipusam is a Hindu feast that takes place mainly at Batu Caves. It is an event during which thousands of pilgrims from numerous countries perform penance rites. Batu Caves house the open air cathedral of the caves: the Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple. You will climb 272 steps to get there. A convoy is formed from Kuala Lumpur at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple. The penitents then embark on a veritable 11-mile procession up to Batu Caves. The procession moves to the tune of the musical instruments of the participants and the "vel vel" they equally pronounce... Along the way, the pilgrims stop over at several temples. The arrival of the first chariot in the cathedral marks the start of the Thaipusam. This celebration is quite impressive, as some pilgrims are actually in a trance state before entering the cave. From the entrance of the Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple, you will notice a 140-foot high golden statue of Muruga.

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