Feb 2023, Penang Malaysia. Thaipusam, also known as the Hindu Festival.
It may be hard to believe what you see in these images. Indeed, it was hard for me to fully comprehend what I was seeing with my own eyes. The internet will do a better job than I can at explaining this amazingly shocking and humbling 3-day long ceremony that happens in several Southeast Asian countries once a year. I must admit, I don’t fully understand it. I will let the images tell the story. But I believe without some context most people from the western world will be lost. Lost in images of colorfully dressed people bringing plates of food to golden chariots, smashing coconuts, carrying milk on their heads barefoot up a mountain of stairs, body piercing and what is the most joyful display of suffering I have ever seen.
So here is some context, based on what we witnessed and learned from chatting with people at the event. Not fact checked and likely some of it is wrong.
On day one 2 chariots leave a temple in the heart of George Town Penang. Carrying Hindu gods through the streets on an all-day journey to another temple about 5miles away and on top of hill (500+ stairs to the top). During the trip families bring plates of fruit and many types of food as an offering and I assume for some type of “blessing”. Often on the plate is a coconut on fire and families gather around after it returns from being “blessed”. Along the way people smash coconuts on the road in advance of the chariots to cleanse the path. Why? We were told that the outside of the coconuts is dark and represents your ego. The center is white and represents good and purity. This goes on all day.
During day 2 (and some on day 1 as well) you will see people with all types of body piercings that can only be described as crazy. Some tied to ropes being pulled on or pulling enormous floats. Some with spears through their cheeks and tongues. Some people carry large colorful decorated items on their shoulders and some carry milk on their heads. This is done for various distances but all to the temple at the top of the hill and all without shoes. Why? We were told it’s a way of showing your faith and commitment to the gods. We were also told it is done to pay for a wish that came true. None of it is required and everyone picks what they want to do. This goes on all day and night. There is music and dancing, there are drums that need the heat of the fire at night, so they sound right. There is free food and drink from booths along the way.
On day 3 the gods are brought back to the original temple. To be honest we didn’t attend the event this day. After 2 days of walking over 10 miles each day and taking over 3k images, it was time for a rest and to begin processing photos.
What you also need to know is we did not see anyone bleed. We did see some suffering but it’s hard to describe there was joy in the suffering. Often there was a smile and meditative peace. Everyone was also very kind and inviting. Many times, I was told to come closer if I wanted to get a better shot.
Enjoy the photos.
