BKinASIA: Thaipusam, the strangest festival...ever!

Sometimes, anticipation is more fun than the actual event. Like the Full Moon party, this was something of the same for me. Note, pics are not all mine but again, i have no idea whom to give credit to. Sorry guys!

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur a few days before the festival (as you can see from the previous post). Now, common things that devout Hindu worshipers do during this festival include abstaining from sex, fasting, prayer, etc... In addition to those lovely things, some also shave their heads. Why, i have no idea. Who came up with the idea that we should too? I also have no idea. But, lets just say that i have no regrets! I can't say the same for all of us. Sweden left his fate up to the flip of a coin, which thankfully came up heads (or drums, or crowns or something, there are weird symbols on Malay coins). Either way, he had the most to lose. I was second in line with the most hair (i really needed a hair cut at that point but it wasn't nearly as much as his dreads).

Prior to deciding to lose the fro, i was standing in the shower, looking at myself. What would i look like with no hair? Is my head a normal shape? Would i look like i just underwent chemo? I washed my hair, pulled it back and looked at myself in the mirror. I just stared at my hair for about 10 seconds. Screw it, i thought, its all coming off.

Sorry Adrian, its coming off! The fates have decided for you!

Andy with half of it BIC'd. He went for the scalp look.

Pete preparing to lose all thats left

Thaipusam, a festival for the devout

So many followers

Probably one of the strangest displays of devotion i have yet to come across. People piercing their flesh with needles and hooks all in the name of religion. Its a strange thing to see but at the same time, an amazing display of faith, endurance and strength (topped off with a dash of insanity from my perspective).

Hooks with limes attached to them?

Hooks with berries??! I have no idea what that stuff is!

Through the mouth!

He's not pulling anything, but his wife and son (i think) would constantly apply tension

Thats one tough old man

Bells on hooks. Old Christmas decorations maybe?

No piercings for this guy, but he was basically going hand over hand,

knee over knee all the way.
So there is more sane levels of devotion on display.

I have to admit though, I thought there would be more piercings and people. Maybe i expected too much? Or rumor has it there was some kinda boycott going on. I'm not going to delve into the politics of the situation. Needless to say, it was cool to see. Very hot during the day so i'm glad we went the night before as well. I would never have made it up those 272 steps into the cave. Or, for that matter, the 15 km walk from the nearby temple that most devotees were supposed to make.