"Thousands rise in the dewy hours of daybreak with a conscious resolution - to have their flesh pinched, tugged and skewered, their shoulders groaning beneath the weight of 30kg kavadi structures. This is Thaipusam, a bewildering Hindu festival that excites, confuses and tires over a million devotees and spectators every year. " ~Surekha Ragavan, Time Out, Kuala Lumpur

One of the favorite features of living in Malaysia 

is the three distinct cultures,

offering a multitude of intriguing festivals and celebrations.

Thaipusam is best experienced with some understanding...

of the symbolic gestures carried out by the Tamil Hindus. 

Fortunately for those of us aboard the tour bus, 

sponsored by the American Association of Malaysia to Batu Caves,

our Indian guide prepared us well for what we would see and smell and hear.

Crowds gathered on the eve of Thaipusum,

of faithfuls who have come to express thanksgiving

 to Lord Murugan, the God of War.

Oh, the excitement in the air.

However, I am getting ahead of myself.

Pilgrims will gather...

along the river where the faithful may begin with a ritual bath,

heads shaved as an act of humility and a symbol of purification,

and sandalwood paste rubbed on their heads or shoulders.

Wafts of fires burning...

fill the night air as holy ash is prepared to smear on foreheads.

Those who have prepared themselves spiritually...

will then further prepare to carry their 'burden's' or kavadi...

sometimes weighing over 50 pounds,

surrounded and guided by family and friends.

Other pilgrims choose a more dramatic expression of faith.

 After spiritual preparation...

 and entering a state of 'devotional' trance...

they are able to feel no pain or even bleed...

when their bodies are pierced.

Each large kavadi...

is often escorted by a group of enthusiastic drummers

filling the air with intensity... 

for those laboring to the base of the pilgrimage sight...

where the 141 ft. statue of Lord Murugan...

welcomes you to the ascent...

272 stairs...

up, up, up,

into the cave.

Looking back provides the impressive view

 of how far you actually enter the cave.

Throughout... 

there are shrines where pilgrims gather to pray.

Meanwhile...

by this point it was nearing midnight and the crowd was still growing.

As this was the eve of the actual holiday in Malaysia,

it was clear this festival was just getting started 

and would continue through the night and into the next day.

Quite a cultural experience.