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Thaipusam Festival is one the popular festivals in Malaysia. Thaipusam Festival is celebrated with much grandeur in Malaysia just like any other festival.
The festival of Thaipusam marks the symbol of penance and atonement among the Hindus. The festival begins with a grand procession of 10 metre high silver chariot bearing the statue of Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Subramanium. The procession is headed by statue itself which is decorated with gold, diamonds, emeralds and rubies while the bulls the chariots. Visitors seeing a Thaipusam procession for the first time may find it unusual but the driving force behind this event is sacrifice.
The festival centers on a procession starting from Sri Mahamariamman Temple in downtown KL to the Batu Caves temple, covering a journey of 20 km beginning as early as 4AM in the morning. The crowd comprise of more than 1 lac people and increases during the day. It is also estimated that a million devotees make this pilgrimage to the temple.
A striking feature of the Thaipusam Festival is the sight of thousands of coconuts being thrown on to the streets and devotees carrying "kavadis" which are nothing but wooden steel yokes with longspikes and metal hooks which are pierced into their bodies. Something which needs to be admired during this festival is the level of mental and physical harmony maintained by the devotees.
Prior to the festival, devotees have to observe a period of strict religious sacrifice which includes meditation, a vegetarian diet and sleeping on a bare floor.
Hundreds of stalls are set up during this religious festival selling various religious artifacts, Indian food, decorative items and audio cassettes. All this make Thaipusam Festival a fascinating experience. For more information Festivals of Malaysia visit Travour.
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