The Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which commemorates the day when Goddess Pavarthi gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance with which he destroyed evil demons, is celebrated by some two million ethnic Indians in Malaysia and Singapore.

PHOTOS

3 FEB 2015

Hindus mark Thaipusam

The Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which commemorates the day when Goddess Pavarthi gave her son Lord Muruga an invincible lance with which he destroyed evil demons, is celebrated by some two million ethnic Indians in Malaysia and Singapore.

PHOTOS: Bangkok Post
 
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Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Malaysian Hindu devotee carries a minion figure as she makes her way towards the Batu Caves temple to make offerings during the Thaipusam Festival on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur before sunrise. — AFP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
Malaysian Hindu devotees carry milk pots on their heads intended as offerings, as they walk toward the Batu Caves temple. — AFP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Malaysian Hindu devotee, restrained with hooks pierced through his back, looks back as he makes his way towards the Batu Caves temple. — AFP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Hindu devotee with ornamental facial and body piercings carries offerings of milk along a procession route in Singapore's Little India district. — AFP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
Hindu devotees walk up the 272 steps of the Batu Caves temple as part of their pilgrimage. — AP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Hindu devotee gets showered as part of a cleaning ritual before his pilgrimage. — AP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Hindu devotee has milk pots hooked on his body as he gets ready for his pilgrimage walk. — AP
Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Hindu devotee carries a pot of milk as he walks towards the 272 steps taking up to the Batu Caves Temple. — EPA
Hindus mark Thaipusam
Hindu devotees gather at the shrine in Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur. — Reuters
Hindus mark Thaipusam
A Malaysian Hindu devotee, centre, reacts before walking towards the Batu Caves temple to make offerings. — AFP