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This was the Canon’s announcment last few weeks ago, and today was the day we took part in this photographic outing.
“Penangnite, please block your morning schedule on 26 Jan 2013 for a Photowalk with Canon for the celebration of Thaipusam. Open to 50 participants only @ http://bit.ly/VCxi42”
Waking up at 4.30 am was no means an easy task as it was even earlier than shooting sunrise but crazy photobugs like us could do this sacrifice of getting less sleep. These are some photos of the Hindu religious festival held in George Town, Penang today.

SP Lim

From Wikipedia
Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம், Taippūcam ?)is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). It is mainly observed in countries where there is a significant presence of Tamil community such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar.
The word Thaipusam is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. This particular star is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel “spear” so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. There is a misconception among people that Thaipusam marks Murugan’s birthday; however, it is believed that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month (May/June), is Murugan’s birthday.
Celebrations in George Town, Penang, Malaysia

haipusam is also celebrated at Arulmigu Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple (Hilltop) along Jalan Waterfall in George Town, Penang.Its is one of the main event in Penang. On the eve of Thaipusam , a silver chariot with the statue of Lord Muruga is led on a procession, accompanied by Chettiar kavadis or devotees carrying peacock feathers. The procession usually starts at 6.00am departing from Kovil Veedu (House Temple) on Penang Street and travel through Chulia Street, Victoria Street, Prangin Road Ghaut, C.Y. Choy Road, Magazine Road(KOMTAR), Datuk Keramat Road, Irving Road, Jalan Utama and Waterfall Road on its route, reaches the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple on Waterfall Road at about midnight,an 15 hours journey culminating . On eve day, coconuts are also smashed on the roads before the chariot to symbolise the shattering of one’s ego and to achieve self-realization. Aside from that, devotees also make offerings of fruits, flowers and incense to the Lord Muruga in the Silver Chariot.
On Thaipusam day, devotees will undertake a pilgrimage from the Lorong Kulit temple to the new Waterfall temple, Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil located up on a hill while carrying kavadis as an act of penance and fulfilment of a vow or to develop spirituality. Carrying kavadis can be in the form of carrying Paal Kudam (milk pots) as offerings to god or in the form of physical endurance by piercing the cheeks, tongue, or skin on the body with hooks and Vel skewers. The new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani temple can accommodate up to 800,000 devotees, every year on Thaipusam Festival. Devotees need to climb over 500 steps to reach hilltop temple, which is more than the 272 steps at Batu Caves (Kuala Lumpur).
On next day, the silver chariot with Lord Muruga makes a return trip to Kovil Veedu on Penang Street. The return trip from the Waterfall temple will start from 6.00pm till dawn the next day at 7.30am and will take a different route back, passing through Waterfall Road, Gottlieb Road, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Cantonment Road, Macalister Road, Anson Road, Burmah Road, Transfer Road, Sri Bahari Road, Penang Road, Campbell Street, Buckingham Street, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling, Chulia Street, Queen Street, Market Street, China Street, Beach Street and Penang Street. On this day, the same activities that were carried out on the eve of Thaipusam are carried out again along the route of the procession.
During these three-day celebration, one can find beautifully decorated of more than 100 refreshment stalls erected along Western Road and Gottlieb Road, selling traditional Indian goods, souvenirs, decorative items and snacks. Thunderous loud music, singing, dancing and the beating of drums can be seen and heard from afar throughout the festival.Upon reaching the temple, devotees will fulfill their vows, offer thanksgiving prayers and penance to Lord Muruga.This festival of rich culture and deep tradition in Penang. They also celebrate at the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunong Cheroh, Ipoh.Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Inserted by SP Lim

Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers. — Isaac Asimov