LUST for LIFE

Took this shot some where in Petaling Jaya. Didn’t have the POV that I wanted … so only managed to catch a sun rising behind a building (located in Kuala Lumpur). 

Continuing from yesterday’s posting…

The mother applying the pottu on her daughter’s forehead 

Was told that the pottu signifies the third eye (centre of awareness) and  heightens one’s spiritual awareness

All set to make the climb up the 272 steps into the Batu Caves inner chamber

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Off they go to perform their vows (Canon 350D + Sigma 10-20mm>

<Unless stated otherwise, all photos taken with Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm>

I’ve almost come to the last of my photoblogs on the Thaipusam celebration at the Batu Caves.

After spending a couple of hours in the vicinity of the main Great Cave, I took a 750-metre stroll to the bank of the Sungai Batu. It was about 11am and the sun was blazing through the atmosphere. There were groups of devotees preparing themselves for the ritual.

At the river bank, there was a family conducting prayers, led by their mother. It was a unique experience watching them … and they allowed me to photograph them.

I am posting two pix here … more pix tomorrow.

<Photos taken with Canon 50D + Cannon 24-104mm>

No ordinary feat <Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm>

She was actually standing on the edge of an entrance arch to get a commanding view of the happenings <Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm>

In a trance-like state <Canon 350D + Canon 50mm F/1.8>

Doing this needs great faith in the deity as well as pure heart and mind <Canon 50DD + Canon 24-105mm>

Moving in unison <Canon 350D + Sigma 10-20mm>

It’s during Thaipusam that you can see many Indian kids (of Hindu faith) getting their heads shaven bald aka the Grace Jones or Kojak-look. This post is dedicated to these children.

This reminds me when I’ was young - my dad had to hold my cheek so that Mr Barber could do a good job in giving me a hair-cut <Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm>

Why is everyone taking photographs of me? <Canon 350D + Canon 50mm F/1.8>

This devotee was only too happy when photographers took pix of his daughter <Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm>

View from the top <Canon 350D + Canon 50mm F/1.8>

The vibrance and sound of the celebration didn’t deter this child from taking a sleep  <Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm>

Here are more pix from my Thaipusam collection taken at the Batu Caves, featuring woman devotees carrying paal kudam (milk pots).

(Unless stated otherwise, photos taken with Canon 50D + Canon 24-105mm)

(Photo above taken with Canon 350D + Sigma 10-20mm>

I was among the more than a million people - participants, devotees, tourists and phototogs - at the Batu Caves yesterday to celebrate Thaipusam.  Needless to say, the event was as filled with colours and of course, a sense of mysticism especially to those witnessing it for the first time. A test of men, women and children’s faith to the Hindu deity Lord Muruga.

It was hot and humid under the scorching sun but having spent some 4 hours there and getting sun burnt, I left with good feeling, having achieved what I had planned to do. Took some 200 plus photos (too little I would say); and they are all on the Face theme. 

<Photos taken with Canon 350D + Canon 50mm F/1.8 Mk II>