Kuala Lumpur: Hindus devotees thronged Batu Caves in a colourful fusion of faith, thanksgiving, and hope to mark the Thai Pusam festival yesterday.
An estimated one million devotees jostled with visitors, including awestruck foreign tourists, to pay homage to Lord Muruga on their way to the cave temple from as early as Saturday night.
More than 4,500 devotees carried a variety of kavadis up the 272 steps to the shrine at the caves, regarded as the premier Hindu pilgrimage site in Malaysia.
Among those who carried kavadis as fulfilment of vows for wishes granted were Paari Vellu, 33, son of Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Chants of Vel! Vel! and the rhythm of drums lent an air of festivity as the sea of people continually trudged up the stairs along with kavadi bearers from as early as 3am.
Many of the women devotees carried paal kudam (milk pots), while couples who had their wish for offspring carried their babes in saffron cradles -- hanging precariously from sugar cane stems being supported on their shoulders.
The bearers of the huge vel kavadis, decorated with peacock feathers, garlands and pictures of deities, and those who pierced their tongues and cheeks with long skewers, hooks, and mini paal kudam were an object of attraction.
An estimated one million devotees jostled with visitors, including awestruck foreign tourists, to pay homage to Lord Muruga on their way to the cave temple from as early as Saturday night.
More than 4,500 devotees carried a variety of kavadis up the 272 steps to the shrine at the caves, regarded as the premier Hindu pilgrimage site in Malaysia.
Among those who carried kavadis as fulfilment of vows for wishes granted were Paari Vellu, 33, son of Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Chants of Vel! Vel! and the rhythm of drums lent an air of festivity as the sea of people continually trudged up the stairs along with kavadi bearers from as early as 3am.
Many of the women devotees carried paal kudam (milk pots), while couples who had their wish for offspring carried their babes in saffron cradles -- hanging precariously from sugar cane stems being supported on their shoulders.
The bearers of the huge vel kavadis, decorated with peacock feathers, garlands and pictures of deities, and those who pierced their tongues and cheeks with long skewers, hooks, and mini paal kudam were an object of attraction.
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