#062: Thaipusam 2025
The annual Thaipusam festival was held last month, a festival of deep spiritual significance, which is celebrated with much fervour among the Tamil Hindu community worldwide. What takes place at Batu Caves here in Malaysia, in my opinion, is truly unique. A one of a kind celebration.
It has been ten years since I last visited Batu Caves for the annual Thaipusam festival. Back then I went in order to test a super wide-angle zoom lens, and here I am again testing out my new 28mm lens, a day after purchasing it. The festival has grown over the years in significance and stature amongst the photographic community. If you are a photographer in Malaysia, especially in and around Kuala Lumpur, this is an event that’s on your calendar. Nowadays, for better or worse, you see so many photographers out and about trying to capture every single detail of the festival and its devotees, some with more respect for the devotees than others. I did my best to NOT get any other photographers in any of my shots, a challenging task given the circumstances, and while paying respect and giving space to the devotees.
For the uninitiated, Thaipusam commemorates the occasion when Parvati, the Hindu goddess of love, fertility, and devotion, gave Murugan, the god of war, a divine spear to vanquish an evil demon. Thaipusam commemorates the triumph of good over evil and as a result of this story, it is reenacted each year with devotion and vibrant festivities that attract thousands of spectators from around the globe.
The Batu Caves then, located just outside of Kuala Lumpur, serves as the focal point for Malaysia's Thaipusam celebrations. It is a cave structure located at the top of a giant 272-step staircase. The site features a massive statue of Lord Murugan, standing at 42.7 meters high, which is one of the tallest statues of a Hindu deity in the world. Pilgrims gather here, their bodies bearing the physical burdens of kavadis—elaborate frameworks of steel and wood, decorated with peacock feathers and flowers. These are not just physical loads but spiritual offerings, carried by devotees in a show of penance and piety. A true physical feat of devotion and gratitude. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the rhythmic beat of drums and the melodies of traditional instruments. Devotees, their bodies pierced with hooks and skewers as a testament to their faith and endurance, move in a trance-like state. It's a sight that is both awe-inspiring and humbling.
This trip to photograph Thaipusam was done on the Sunday before the actual celebrations - held on Tuesday, 11th February. I would have gone back on the main day but I got caught up with some stuff at home. By going a day or two before, you see fewer crowds and because of that, it is a much more pleasant atmosphere and experience. I also got there super early, before sunrise, knowing that it would get hot during the day. Capturing these moments at sunrise was nice, although overcast, there was enough light coming through to get some nice shots, keeping my distance so as not to disturb the religious activities and only getting close when there was space to do so. Most of these wide shots would have been much different with double the number of people, as would have been the case if I went on the actual day. I also didn’t go all the way up into the caves - it would have taken a couple of hours to go up and down again - and stayed at the lower levels and the preparation area by the river.
After doing this trip and looking back at the images I took and also at the past images I took ten years ago, I think I’ve had my fill of Thaipusam. So let’s see if it will take another ten years before I go back again. Thinking about it now, I would need to perhaps structure my photos, maybe think of something specific to photograph at Thaipusam - to get me excited about attending it again. Let me know what you think. That being said, whether you are a spiritual seeker, a lover of culture, or simply a curious traveller, witnessing Thaipusam at Batu Caves is an experience.
For this blog post, I’ve added a lot more photos that I would perhaps normally post here, but it’s a testament to all the interesting sights and scenes happening around and throughout this festival.
Hope you enjoy the photos below. All were taken with the Nikon ZF and the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE).
Cheers.
