Malaysia 1985: Thaipusam – a Hindu festival

 

 

Chains are hooked to the back and chest of this pilgrim, with lime fruits dangling at the end of the chains, to increase the pain. A spear has also been stuck through his cheeks. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

 

The crowds seem endless. The area beneath the sacred Batu Caves is packed with people, all the way to the horizon. Along the bazaar street, one pilgrim group after another is heading for the caves, beating drums, shouting, and singing all the way.

 

 

The area beneath the sacred Batu Caves was packed with people, all the way to the horizon. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

 

Repenting through pain
In the centre of each group walks the man who has given Subramanya his vow to repent through suffering. The heavy metal kavadi rack rests on his shoulders, decorated with flowers, peacock feathers, images of Hindu gods, and all sorts of tinsel. Dozens of chains are attached to the metal bars, with hooks at the end, piercing the pilgrim’s skin on his back and chest.

Likewise, chains are hooked to the back and chest of other male pilgrims, with oranges or lime fruits dangling at the end of the chains. The weight of the fruits will increase the pain and suffering of the pilgrim. Others have needles stuck through their tongue, or their cheeks are pierced by spears, up to 2 m long. As their mouth cannot be closed, spit is running down their chin and neck. Coagulated blood on their tongue or cheeks is supplemented with red dye to increase the visual effect.

The kavadi of female pilgrims is much lighter than the men’s, almost all without hooks. Other women simply carry flower garlands or bowls with coconut milk.

During his walk, the suffering pilgrim will often stop to perform a wild dance, while his companions utter ear-shattering screams, and drummers beat their instruments to an incredible crescendo. The oranges and lime fruits jump up and down during the dance, threatening to tear open the skin. The men with spears, piercing their cheeks, hold on to the spear with both hands during their dance, to avoid their cheeks being mutilated.

This is the day of repentance, forgiveness, and hope – this is Thaipusam.

 

 

In the centre of each group of pilgrims walks the man who has given Subramanya his vow to repent through suffering. The heavy metal kavadi is resting on his shoulders. (Photos copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

 

The Spotless One’
A significant part of Malaysia’s inhabitants is of Indian descent. During the 1800s, their forefathers – mainly Tamils from South India – were brought to the country as labourers by the British. They have retained their Hindu religion, characterized by a pantheon with thousands of gods and goddesses, and by a huge number of religious festivals.

In Malaysia, Thaipusam is the most important of these festivals. Every year in February, thousands of devout Hindus undertake a pilgrimage to the sacred limestone caves of Batu, near Kuala Lumpur, to celebrate the birthday of Subramanya (‘The Spotless One’), another name of Skanda, who is the son of Shiva and his shakti (female aspect), Devi, also known by the names Uma, Parvati, Durga, or Kali. – Shiva, Devi, and other Hindu gods are described on the page Religion: Hinduism.

Thaipusam is the time to ask Subramanya to forgive committed sins, to cure an illness, or to supply luck in the future. Enduring pain and suffering, you show the god that you are willing to bring a sacrifice to obtain his goodwill.

 

 

This pilgrim has many hooks attached to his back and chest, from which lime fruits are dangling. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

Several needles have been stuck through the tongue and cheeks of this pilgrim. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

This man has a long spear stuck through his cheeks, and also hooks attached to his chest. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

Other pilgrims. (Photos copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

 

What a circus!
On the appointed day, extra trains from Kuala Lumpur bring pilgrims and spectators to the Batu Caves, throughout the day.

When my companion Jette Wistoft and I arrive around 8 o’clock, a huge crowd is already gathered beneath the limestone crags, which contain the sacred caves. The level area here has been transformed into a market place with countless tiny restaurants, food-stalls, tents of traders, etc. Indian pop music is blaring from loudspeakers, the noise mingling with shouts from traders, who try to persuade people to buy their goods. The ground is littered with paper, banana peels, and other garbage.

Two small limestone caves are enclosed by a fence, and a sign outside announces Art Gallery. Before entering, each person must pay one Malaysian Dollar as a ’donation’. Inside, along the rock wall, is a long row of gypsum images, depicting Hindu gods, painted in gaudy colours and illuminated by red, yellow, blue, and green bulbs. To us, they appear awfully bombastic, but Indians, dressed up to the nines, cup their hands in front of the images in supplication, throwing coins at their feet. Every now and then, a Hindu priest comes out to collect these coins.

 

Chaos on the stairs to the sacred caves
Many pilgrims arrived long before dawn, and the first thing they did was to have a cleansing bath in the sacred river near the caves. They have been fasting for days, and this morning, assisted by their companions, they work themselves into a religious trance. They smear their face and naked chest in ashes, whereupon their companions place the heavy kavadi on their shoulders, then pierce their skin with the hooks, or their tongue with needles. As they are already in a trance, they probably feel less pain.

Between the river and the stairs, which lead up to the caves, the pilgrims move through a compact mass of spectators. Tens of thousands have come to watch this festival of repentance. The pilgrims, now in a deep trance, are oblivious of their presence. Foam oozing out of their mouth, they perform spectacular dances, accompanied by incredible drumming crescendos. Young men jump up to balance on the edge of huge, sharp knives, held on the ground by their companions.

Before climbing the stairs, the repenting pilgrims make a brief stop to rest, while their companions pour water on their face and into their mouth.

The stairs are divided into three sections. The central section, fenced off by thick ropes, is reserved for pilgrims and their companions. The left side is for ascending spectators, the right side for descending. Ascending the 272 steps, we move in slow-motion, chest to back, unable to do anything but follow the stream. If you lose your hat or a sandal, it is gone.

A couple of times, a group of pilgrims, with their heavy kavadi, ascend our section of the stairs, and we must scramble aside to avoid being trampled, while people shout and scream. The many police officers, who patrol up and down the stairs, try to keep a minimum of order in this inferno.

 

 

Stairs, leading up to the sacred caves. In front, and along the centre of the stairs, are sculptures, depicting Hindu gods. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

 

Climax of the pilgrimage
From the top of the stairs, we have a remarkable view over the parade of pilgrims. The entire area at the foot of the cliffs is packed with people, all the way to the horizon – 50,000 or more.

Inside, the cave is illuminated by numerous lamps, and pencils of daylight reach the floor through natural openings in the ceiling. In this cave, the ecstasy of the pilgrims reaches its climax. One last wild dance is performed, before you sacrifice coconuts by smashing them on the floor. Camphor is burned in two enormous trays in the middle of the cave. The air is nauseating, stinking of smoke, sweat, camphor, and sweet coconut milk.

At the other end of the cave, small platforms have been constructed for people to rest on. The pilgrims, who are now so exhausted that they can hardly walk, are led here by their companions. Hooks and kavadi are removed, and needles and spears are pulled out rapidly, after which ashes are applied to the wounds. The pilgrims are then taken to a small niche in the wall, where priests bless them, in return receiving small offerings of flower garlands or coconut milk.

The pilgrims are now led to the entrance and down the stairs, where long rows of beggars are seated, all the way down. They have a great day, judging from the heaps of coins in front of them.

At the foot of the stairs, the pilgrims make a brief stop to receive a drink, almost about to faint, but nevertheless happy. They have fulfilled their vow. They have endured the sufferings of Thaipusam. Surely, Subramaniya will listen to their prayer and forgive their sins, or fulfill their wish.

They can go home with a peaceful mind.

 

 

At the entrance to the caves, pilgrims burn incense and present coconuts as an offering. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

Large offer fires in front of the caves. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

 

 

 

(Uploaded February 2016)

 

(Latest update March 2024)