Been a while since I really get into Thaipusam mood. Last year I didn't pay a visit to Batu Caves during Thaipusam, only went there during the MIB's photoshoot event. So, this year when the LOL gang (read: a group of crazy friends) planned a visit to Batu Caves Thaipusam, I jumped at the opportunity.

The chronology of my visit:

A family preparing for prayers by the riverbank. We spent a considerable time by the river, watching and photographing devotees' preparation of their journey to Batu Caves main temple.
Thaipusam eve - 7.00pm:
It was around 7 - 7.30pm when we entered the main temple compound. But that was not before we stuffed ourselves with delicious anathanam food and lots of mooru :P
Thaipusam eve - 8.30pm:
We were walking around the 'shopping area' when I spotted the silver chariot which has just completed a 12-hour journey from Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee to Batu Caves. We caught up with Selian and spent some time taking photographs of the devotees making their way to the cave. Then we watched the fireworks at midnight and had another round of anathanam food at Divine Life Ashramam before walking to our hotel room which was generously 'donated' to the gals (hehehehe..)

I think I had about 2 hours of sleep (Sundra has none though :P) before embarking to Batu Caves for another round of photography. We went back to the riverbank and this time the crowd was huge! The numbers of photographers were amazing as well and I even overheard one of the photographers saying that they might have outnumbered the number of kavadis!
We are still at the riverbank, and THIS is my fav kavadi. Nothing excessive but it set the mood!


An usual scene at Batu Caves at this time around.

The sun has started to blaze hot by this time. We decided to call it a day as our system started to slow down, possibly because of lack of rest.
Thaipusam - 10.30am:
It isn't fair if I don't tell you guys who are the 'we' I am talking about through out the post right? Here is my loving LOL gang - (from your right) : Sundra, Raaja, Yoges, Puvanan & Selian.

I had an amazing Thaipusam this year. 2010 may see another happening Thaipusam journey to another exciting location in Malaysia! Wait for it!! :-)

View the rest of the photos in my Thaipusam 2009 flickr set!