Thaipusam

When traveling, it is always a treat to be someplace when a local festival or celebration is happening. We have some wonderful memories of times when we saw something unexpected, and as often as not, the opposite can be true- the wonderful festival ended the day before you arrived. Or all the fun happened when we were sleeping.

We had heard about Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur but really did not plan to be anywhere near there when over a million people flock to the Batu Caves to ascend the 267 steps to the temple. So we were pleasantly surprised to be able to participate, if only in a fringe way, in Thaipusam in Penang. They have built a new temple that is even grander, with more steps, but we were not inclined to either go at 10 pm, or in the heat of the day. We did, however find out that there was a shuttle bus taking people to the festival, so we found where it left from and just followed the throngs of women dressed in their most beautiful saris. It was a bit of a hot walk to the festival street, but oh,,what wonderful people watching! I have never seen so many colorful saris in one place, even in India. And they streamed past in a constant parade. 

But what was really fascinating to see were the young faithfuls who were sporting the most painful looking piercings, which were sometimes attached to ropes being pulled by other men.

Ouch, I can hardly look at them without flinching! They carried milk jugs, or had small ones covering their bodies, and there were shrines covered in milk offerings. 

And all along one street were colorful booths where they handed out free drinks and food. Jim handed me a glass of some sweet beverage and I said " I'm not sure I want to drink this". He replied, " you've gotta drink the coolaid!" Yes, that's true. And we went into two temples with the masses, and lit candles and had ash placed on our foreheads, just like the Hindus.