Thaipusam is a Tamil Festival celebrated on the Tamil Full Moon. It is celebrated in all the countries that have Tamil Hindu communities such as Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and Myanmar.

Thaipusam is a Tamil Festival celebrated on the Tamil Full Moon. It is celebrated in all the countries that have Tamil Hindu communities such as Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and Myanmar.

The Tamil month of Thai is usually late January or early February. Legend has it that Parvati gave Murugan the Vel(Spear) during full moon in order to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. It is this vanquishing of the evil demon that the Tamil Hindus Celebrate.

In Malaysia, the Festival is celebrated by over 1 million Hindus gathering at Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple. Others gather in temples such as Balathan­dayuthapani Temple and Waterfall Hill Temple in Penang; Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Sungai Petani; and Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Ipoh. The Hindu devotees prepare for the festival by cleansing their bodies through a vegetarian diet, abstinence, fasting and paying penance a few days before the festival. Others carry Kavadi featuring deities such as Lord Murugan on their shoulders as well as milk pots on their heads.

The local people and the devotees together are allowed into the holy Batu caves. However, tourists are advised that this might not be the best way to experience the festival. The caves are crowded and you may not get to capture good pictures. Most of the devotees will be in a trance while others will be claustrophobic. The best place to capture the on goings is on the Press Platform that overlooks the caves.

The 30-days long festival is characterized with song, dance, fabulous attire and fine dining (of course with no meat). A tourist will be treated to the best of the Hindu religion sights. That Malaysia boasts an array of first-class hotels helps the tourist get some comfortable accommodation. Although the country's larger section of population is Islamic, there is a lot of tolerance. You will have a great time.

Thaipusam is celebrated in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya,Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Selangor regions of Malaysia. Make sure you attend the event and get inspired by the dedication these people have to their religion.