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Review of MCG Thaipusam Outing at Batu Caves January 24, 2024 |
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On January 24, 2024, an enthusiastic group of MCG members, led by Michelle Pease and Oriana Verona, and guided by our extremely knowledgeable guide Sean Liew, experienced the Indian holiday of Thaipusam up close and personal at Batu Caves. We started with an informative talk given by Sean, telling us the history, myths, and background of Thaipusam and how it is celebrated. The festival is to celebrate the victory of the Hindu god Murugan over the demon Surapadman, using a divine spear gifted by Parvati, which is called a vel.
We then walked over to the ‘launching’ area, where the supplicants gather to prepare to take part in the kavadi procession; the kavadi being a structure carried on the shoulders or head of the supplicant. Devotees take part in this procession to pray for assistance and to give thanks for boons received. It also includes ceremonial acts of sacrifice as well as prayers and vows. We watched many heads being shaved and sandalwood powder being applied, as a form of devotion. The kavadi carriers also endured body piercings as a part of their ritual sacrifice. |
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We followed groups in the kavadi procession along a long, hot road up to the Batu Caves. There were men and women with tongue and face piercings, balancing pots on their heads, as well as the kavadi carriers themselves, who had to periodically stop to sit on provided stools and take water while they carried their burden. The heat did not inhibit the wonderful groups of traditional horns and drums and chanting that accompanied the kavadi procession, along with the carriers dancing along with their burdens. |
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The culmination of the procession was the ascent of the Batu Caves steps. Our group followed these men (and sometimes young boys) up the stairs, shushing away our monkey friends as we climbed. There were many devotees ascending the steps, some carrying pots, some carrying children in a sling between them (to give thanks for the birth of said child), some even crawling up the stairs.
Once the kavadi reached the summit of Batu Caves, it was removed from the shoulders of the devotee, with the piercings being removed as well. |
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All through the experience our guide Sean gave us information on each step of the process. We took in the festive atmosphere in the caves themselves and then descended for a group photo.
It was a wonderful experience for both first-time observers as well as veterans of the experience.
Many thanks to our wonderful MCG co-leaders Michelle and Oriana, and to our terrific guide Sean!
Kathy Thompson, February 11, 2024 |
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