Overwhelmed by the Thaipusam Hindu Festival (2019) at Batu Caves - Once in a lifetime experience!

The Thaipusam Festival at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, is one of the largest, most colorful, most intense, and most powerful events on the Hindu religious calendar. It celebrates the day Lord Murugan (the Hindu god of war) received his divine spear, or "Vel", from his goddess mother Parvati.

I was lucky to arrive in Kuala Lumpur just one day before this important festival took place. I didn't plan it that way. In fact, I had no idea the festival was taking place. But my hostel is located just steps away from the Hindu temple from where the festival procession departs. And the noise and activity alerted everyone in the hostel that something very special was taking place.

I'd read about Thaipusam and seen pictures of it for many years, and now I had the opportunity to attend. I knew there would be large crowds, lots of noise, and heat and humidity, and I did my best to mentally prepare for the scene to come. But, really, nothing can prepare you for the spectacle that is Thaipusam at Batu Caves.

The Cycling Canadian

Gear List:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark I (using just the built-in mic)
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 Lens
Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime
Framelapse Android App
All editing done with Windows Movie Maker and Windows Paint. (My poor little computer doesn't have the power to run anything else.)
Joby Gorillapod

[PlanetDoug]

TIME STAMPS
7:36 - I arrive at Batu Caves
23:10 - Bonus Questions and Answers
25:04 - TCC Travel Tip 010

I apologize to one and all for any facts about the festival that I got wrong (and for constantly mispronouncing Lord Murugan).

I read about the festival as much as I could before I went, but the stories were quite complicated, and a lot of the online articles I read even contradicted each other. So when I was on the spot at the festival itself and trying to say something coherent about it, I'm sure I misspoke and said some things that were not quite right or were completely wrong.

But my heart was in the right place, and I tried to get my facts straight.

[huiyangong]

As a fellow Malaysian, I cherish all festivals celebrated here and I am proud of our precious multiracial heritage

[rajkumarvelupillai]

Hats off to Malaysian Tamils.. for upholding the Ancient Tamil traditions, it's colourful and energetic 👍💪
Happy Thaipusam 🙏🏻

[saschannel]

I'm very impressed with your knowledge about the festival. Thanks for sharing!

[samraj]

Excellent coverage and narration of the Thaipusam Festival at Batu Caves.

[vijayaS]

your knowledge of the origin of the thai poosum celebration is amazing. Furthermore, I admire and respect you for the advice you gave to young foreigners when attending religious events in foreign countries. Many thanks !

[azztaffm]

Best travelogue coverage of thaipusam at Batu caves i've watched so far. Great video and informative

[hassanmusa]

Malaysian here, Your videos are very educational n informative, now I know how to get there and what to see.
Thank you so much for the Documentary.

[Lucidthe]

THANKS FOR VISITING THE FESTIVAL BEACAUSE I HAD ALSO TRANCE I FASTED FOR 40DAYS BUT THANKS ALOT FOR COMING

[mohammadabdulquayum]

Wonderful I am speechless to watch this videos. Keep uploading more interesting videos, buddy.

[jeffreysetapak]

This festival is simply awesome and eye opening.

[maruthuvananhmk]

YOU DONE A GOOD COVERAGE, THANKS FOR YOUR GOOD JOB.

[apppu]

Thai Pusam ( Fool moon day, in January/ first Foolmoon), Murugan ( not Hindi / Not Sanskrit), a Tamil god, nearly-(3000/4000) there -ancient Sumerian/ Egypt, there was a king/ Ra- Mugan ( Tüten Kha Mugan) Ancient Jung king, in Sumerisch Dynasty, there were planty of stories, ( Ex - Malasiya- Proffeser- Loga/ loganathan) was telling about Arachi Sumerian Tamil,

[kanchanadevi]

Great that you understand the Hindu culture and the importance of thaipusam. Tq for respecting other people's religious.

[selfreflection]

Awesome video! It's like watching a documentary. Appreciate that you have done some research and then explain when you were there. 👍👌

[hemadarisini]

🙋 welcome sir to Malaysia.. welcome to thaipusam batucave... your knowledge @ hinduisim thaipusam very great👌👌👌👌... thanks a lot sir

[chubipower]

I can see why vlogging has made u a happier n more open person. I bet researching and learning about what u are vlogging on has a lot to do with it. I enjoy it videos. They're laid-back and informative. It's like hanging out with an old friend :)

[LegacyofKine]

Best coverage of Thaipusam by a Vlogger on YouTube that I've come across. Am a Malaysian myself but never been to the festival not since I was a kid decades ago. Can't handle the crowd and massive traffic. Guess I came here to say a very big Terima Kasih for doing what you do and editing and uploading your video. Thank you Sir, your work is appreciated.

Constructive criticism - maybe consider a clip on mic for better narration ?

[buddhansivaprakasam]

Thanks for the best coverage. Peacock is the answer.

[saffrondominic]

Wow! By far this is the best coverage of Thaipusam by a foreign tourist. I appreciate your attempts to understand the festival first before commenting on the festival. By the way, did you get back your sandals from the pile? Thank you for sharing (: