Thaipusam | Penang, Malaysia

A Holiday was created during a battle, where one side prayed to one of their primary gods, Shiva, for a leader that would bring them to victory.  Shiva complied, and to recognise that victorious day the people created the festival Thaipusam. Thaipusam is one of the biggest Hindu Festivals. A yearly event, it is celebrated by devoted followers majorly in India and Nepal.

This celebration is quite cautioned for children of non-celebrators. Why? Well, as a way of appreciating their life, many Hindus put hooks into their bodies. Through thin pieces of outer skin on their back and chest, or penetrating not-so-thin pieces of their tongue and cheeks. This is happening throughout the night before Thaipusam, as preparation for a 5-mile walk from Georgetown, Penang, to a temple slightly hidden on the side of a mountain.

Now not everyone does this. Personally attending the event, climbing up the steps to the temple and back down again, thousands were with me. Everyone from Indian Grandmothers in their 80’s, to young boys being tugged behind them. Tourists flocked, taking pictures of the hundreds of stalls set up for the event. There was almost a small town with all of the wooden huts and stands set up, roaming left and right around the base of the temple endlessly. They offered Indian, Western, Malay, Chinese, and even Japanese food. Snake Whisperers and resting Ritualistic Dancers hid in their shade. Countless shrines of Hindu Gods are propped against every other stall, incense pouring out of them among scented candles and flowers set up on the plastic table.

As I said, thousands upon thousands  of people are rather celebrating, making way to the temple, dancing, selling something or looking in different shops at Indian clothing being sold at top-price. It is jam-packed no matter where you are. Except for when a hooked believer is making his way through the crowd. With a spike through his cheek, or his tongue, and a man holding a drink with a straw ready to serve the Hooked Man if he needs it along with an entourage of other supporters. Most of the men with something in them were dragging a cart behind them (With hooks in their back) or balancing a colorful, but heavy item on top of their head. With no shirt on, sweat pours across them as their group chants with a rhythm. They are making the ultimate act of thanks for their religion, and they are treated as if so.

The trip along the stairs, through the temple, and back down again was tiring. Yet competing with people 60 years older than me gets me a bit more sparked to walk. Free food was at the end, along with juice and sour milk. The temple had reeked of sour milk, where they poured it our glass after glass. Overall, I would’ve gone again if I could’ve.

Next year though.

A kid, about 10 years old, dances a traditional Thaipusam dance while holding a heavy flair of colors on his shoulders

Shrine after…

Shrine.

typical attire for Hindus

A rather large group sing and dance to the rhythm the drummers make

Free food is dishes out to hundreds upon hundreds from large pots like these. Note the large oar that they stir it with on top of one

After climbing back down from the temple, we’re in a different part of the festival, one with a rather large bathroom line

Slightly sour milk is served in tiny paper cups that later create a mountain over unsuspecting lonely trash cans

A film crew taking in the view, along with the long line of people to its right that are waiting to enter the temple

The view from the top

The best shot I can take of a man with hooks in his back is in the temple, where he is rushing through to finally get to the end after hours of walking

A lit shrine inside the temple

Entering the temple, beautifully intricate chandeliers are glowing above us

No shoes in the temple

There were about 4 on the way up – halfway up the stairs, 2 paramedics rushed past holding a boy no older than 8 years in their arms

So close! A man can be seen holding a golden canteen on his head. These are holding sour milk – a very popular drink and offering in Hindu Religion

A giant Shiva monument seen at the end of the walk, on the other side of the temple

Breaking of the coconut is a ritual – How do you do it? Buy coconut. Make sure to look out for the dozens of signs warning not to smash any coconuts in their area. Proceed to smash against ground relentlessly.

Such a nice, yellow, slimy scarf