Thaipusam Celebration in Kuching

This is the 1st time i've shot Thaipusam celebration. It's a great celebration for the Hindus and me as well.. Full with colours n culture..

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month(Thai month). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival in that month. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon called Soorapadman..

During this festival,devotees will carry the Kavadi. The Kavadi consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the devotee. It is often decorated with flowers, peacock fathers (the vehicle of God Murugan) among other things.In addition, some have a little spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. Can u imagined the pain?? For the Hindu's the greater the pain the more god-earned merit.

So here are the shots duting the celebration.. Hope next year it will be much more grand than this year and i really enjoy it alot....

Last but not least, HAPPY THAIPUSAM to all the Hindu's.