Today is Thaipusam

This year, Thaipusam is celebrated today, January 17. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on a large scale especially in Penang and in Kuala Lumpur. In Kuala Lumpur, the action is at the Batu Caves.

As in previous years, Batu Caves play host to thousands, mostly devotees although tourists with cameras and camcorders make up a good percentage of the teeming crowd. The weather is great today (as in no rain with mild sunshine) for a visit to this once-a-year event though you would have to put up with the crowd (everywhere you turn), the sights (kavadi-carriers) and smells (of food, flowers and incense) of such a gargantuan event. Frankly, this could be a once-a-lifetime kind of experience.

However, if you are not participating and do not want to be caught in the horrendous traffic jam, stay away from the Gombak/Sentul area or anywhere near Batu Caves.

If you are heading there anyway and need help with its location, this map may be useful.


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Image source: Wikipedia