Thaipusam 2013

Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur	Procession of the silver chariot through the streets of KL	Devotees carry milk pots walk to Batu Caves	Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur	Walking on the streets of KL
The silver chariot	In the heart of KL	Devotees seek blessings	Devotees line the streets waiting for the procession	Sri Thandayuthapani Temple (Chettiar Temple) along Ipoh Road in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur
Firecrackers on the road greets Lord Muruga chariot	The Silver chariot bearing Lord Muruga arrives at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple	Kids showing traditional pastimes games	Devotee with milk pot on the head in the procession	Devotees walking alongside the chariot bearing Lord Muruga
The procession to Batu Caves	Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur on the morning of Thaipusam	Traffic on the road outside the temple	Heavy traffic so early in the morning	Urumi Melam percussion band
Performing rituals in preparation for the walk up Batu Caves	Performing rituals in preparation for the walk up Batu Caves	Hooks and chain hanging from the back	Toddler getting his head shaven	Hooks on the back
A devotee reacts while in a trance	Morning prayers	Family prays by the riverside at dawn	Family prayers	Family prayers
Family prayers	Family prayers	Family prayers	Piercing the back with hooks with lime tethered to them	Devotees carry milk pots on the head
Fulfilling vows	Devotees in a trance	In a trance	Flower petals shower along the way	Cleansing ceremony : a delightful shower by the river
Save in the hands of dad	Pal Kodum or Milk Pot carriers	Rituals along the way	Devotees with milk pots on the head walks to the cave temple	Milk pot procession
Priest takes a rest break	Prayers and blessings for the family	Cleansing ceremony on the river bank	The urumi melam drums band accompany devotees on their walk	The urumi melam drums band accompany devotees on their walk
The urumi melam drums band accompany devotees on their walk	Devotees carry milk pot on their heads walk to the temple	A devotee with cheeks pierced carry a milk pot in the procession	Devotees walking towards the temple from the riverside after the cleansing ceremony	Devotee walks elegantly towards the Batu Caves temple
Carry the kavadi to the temple up the steps	The old man swagger	Milk pot and kavadi carriers	Carry the milk pot with cheeks skewered	Pal Kodum or Milk Pot carrier
Man carries Pal Kodum or milk pot	Pot of flames in hand	Hoisted in the air	Milk pot carrier	Priest at the cleansing and initiation river bank site
Silent prayers	Blessing for the family	Beginning the cleansing ritual	Prayers and blessings of the milk pots	Kavadi carriers walking to the temple
Young boy with heavy task	Devotees make their way to Batu Caves	Dragging along on ropes tethered to hooks on the back	Hooks on the back	Hooks on the back
A family taking out different roles	Urumi melam drummers accompany the devotees	He ain't heavy, he's my brother	Kavadi carriers walking to Batu Caves	Kavadi carriers
Hooking the back ceremony	Hooking the back ceremony	LED lights on kavadis at night	Kavadi with multiple skewers	Drummer boys lead the kavadi carrier
Confettis aloft along the way	Swing, sway and spin the kavadi	Kavadi carrier	Devotee pulling a cart by hooks on his back	Firecrackers and fireworks add to the excitement
Fireworks lit the night skies	Fireworks and swaying kavadis on the way to the temple	reaching the temple entance	A welcome sign. A giant statue of Lord Muruga and the steps up the cave temple can be seen in the background	Lord Muruga watches over. Kavadi carriers can be seen climbing up the steps to the cave temple