Thaipusam celebration in Penang. Devotees performing kavadi attam towards Lord Murugan, God of War in Hinduism.

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Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). It is celebrated in Malaysia and it is a big celebration in Penang to commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel "spear" so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The Kavadi Attam ("Burden Dance") is the ceremonial sacrifice and offering that devotees performed during the worship of Lord Murugan in Thaipusam. It emphasises debt bondage and is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the Lord Murugan. Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting approximately one and a half month before the event.

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Size: 5302px × 3533px
Location: Jalan Utama Georgetown George Town Penang Malaysia
Photo credit: © NickoCulture / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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