Celebrating the triumph of good over evil in Malaysia

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. that is, January/February. Thaipusam, which is celebrated in honor of Hindu god Lord Murugan, is an annual procession by Hindu devotees seeking blessings, fulfilling vows and offering thanks. (Photos: AP)

A Hindu devotee gets his cheek and tongue pierced with metal rods during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A Hindu devotee with hooks and chains dug into his back takes part in the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves. According to Skanda Puranam, the legend of Murugan, and Thirupugal which are divine verses on Murugan, adhere to Shaivam principles.

Hindu devotees carry milk pots during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A Hindu devotee carries milk pot during the Thaipusam festival. The word Thaipusam is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. This particular star is at its highest point during the festival.

This festival was, according to one tradition, said to have been supposedly created during one of the battles between the Asuras and the Devas.

Hindu devotees walk up the 272 steps of the Batu Caves temple as part of their pilgrimage during the Thaipusam festival.

A Hindu devotee carries a Kavadi offering cage in a procession during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.