Despite the lack of fanfare, devotees keep to tradition in low-key fashion
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 28 Jan 2021 2:00PM
Devotees keeping to tradition during this year's Thaipusam festival, despite strict restrictions in place to curb Covid-19 transmissions. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021
by Azim Rahman
KUALA LUMPUR – Unlike in previous years, the Thaipusam celebration at Seri Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves this time around stayed relatively quiet.
Despite congestion in the area, the celebration of the Hindu festival was kept at a moderate level.
The Thaipusam celebration in Malaysia is one of the country's top attractions, not only for Hindus, but for tourists from abroad, including the international media, who annually make the trip to capture the festival's most exciting moments.
This year, however, due to the stringent SOPs that are part of the government's movement control order, there are no cries of "vel... vel...", no drum beats accompanying the kavadi climbing 272 steps of the temple and no excitement of Hindus breaking coconuts on the road.
The Vibes photographer AZIM RAHMAN captures the low-key but still deeply passionate celebration in the time of Covid-19. – The Vibes, January 28, 2021
Masked swami performing a Hindu ritual during the Thaipusam celebration in Seri Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Only selected devotees are permitted to participate in the Thaipusam ritual. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Lord Murugan on the way back to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, with fewer people around this year. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Only a selected few were permitted to accompany the vehicle carrying Lord Murugan back to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021In contrast with previous years, the night before Thaipusam sees the 272 stairs of Batu Caves empty and quiet. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021The authorities keeping an eye out at the adorned arch of the Seri Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Hindu devotees praying from afar, and safe in their homes. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Thaipusam morning looks much like a normal day – for pandemic times – at Seri Subramaniam Temple. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021A road to the Batu Caves temple closed off to traffic. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Policemen working extra hours to ensure strict compliance to the MCO's SOPs. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021Unlike in previous years, the atmosphere at the Seri Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves on Thaipusam is tranquil and quiet. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes, January 28, 2021
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![[PHOTOS] A solemn yet deeply moving Thaipusam](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/28012021_-_KUL_-_Thaipusam_religious_celebration_during_the_MCO_season_at_Batu_Caves_-_AZIM_RAHMAN_15.jpg)
