Each year, one million Hindu devotees of Tamil descent gather in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, to celebrate Thaipusam in honor of Lord Murugan, an important deity for the Tamil community.
On the day of the festival, devotees form a pilgrimage to the temple, carrying forms of burdens such as milk, as well as pierce their bodies as sacrifices made to Lord Murugan.
It is believed that the greater the pain one inflicts upon his body, the greater the reward is given to him. The festival is exceptionally significant in Malaysia, whereby devotees have to take a flight of steps, consisting 272 steps to the temple situated in a cave.
This year's fesitval was held on February 7th.