Hindu devotees celebrate Thaipusam in Malaysia

Thaipusam festival which commemorates the birth of Hindu God of Lord Murugan was celebrated by the Hindu devotees in Malaysia on January 21. Hinduism is practised by 6.3% of Malaysia's 31 million population.

Tens of thousands of devotees on January 21 made their way to a temple in Malaysia for the annual Thaipusam festival which commemorates the birth of the Hindu God of Lord Murugan.

Devotees carried out traditional rituals and made offerings for answered prayers. The rituals include carrying kavadi, which sees devotees pierce their skin with metal hooks and rods and carry heavy artifacts. 

The festival originates in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu but is observed in Malaysia and Singapore by the Tamil communities there.

Devotees also fulfilled their vows to the deity by carrying pots of milk and climbing hundreds of steps to the temple.
 

The Batu Caves temple, located in a limestone cave on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India and is the focal point of Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia.