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Thaipusam 2025 in pics

R Dineskumar

R Dineskumar

— 4 min read
Thaipusam 2025 in pics
Devotees gather around the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple at Jalan Kebun Bungah, Pulau Tikus. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)

As a Penangite, one thing that I love about my state is the lively Thaipusam celebration at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple at Jalan Kebun Bungah in Pulau Tikus here at the Penang island.

As a Hindu Penangite, what I love about my fellow peers of the faith is that no matter how far away they have settled down, they will always come back to Penang to celebrate Thaipusam here without fail. 

It doesn't matter if you work in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru or even Singapore. You will return to this temple to celebrate Thaipusam with your dearest family and friends. It is a mandatory ritual here for Penang Hindu lang.

There is no doubt that this temple, one of the most prominent Lord Murugan temples in the country and the world, has deep sentimental value among Penangites and folks from other states. This sentimental value drew them to visit the temple to fulfil their vows to Lord Muruga, regardless of heavy rains or scorching heat. 

I am glad that I got to be one of the 1.5 million people who were given the God-given opportunity to celebrate Thaipusam with my family at this holy site after not being able to do so in the past four years due to external factors.

I have to say that it was a fulfilling experience that I will always cherish, and I look forward to celebrating it again next year.

Thaipusam is celebrated by the Hindus on the Tamil month of Thai (Thai Massam) to honour Lord Murugan, who is the Hindu God of war, victory and wisdom.

As for Penang, this year’s Thaipusam celebration is expected to draw around 1.5 million people to the island state. Several roads around the island have been closed to facilitate the procession of devotees to the holy site. The three day celebration would end tonight at 12.00am.

Here are several glimpses of this year’s Thaipusam celebration - from the lens of The Mutiara Sentinel. 

Happy Thaipusam everyone. 

A group of devotees standing by to begin their march to the hilltop Lord Murugan temple as they are serenaded by melam performers (Pic credit - R.Dineskumar)
Devotees walk back and forth from the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple along Jalan Kebun Bungah to perform their vows to Lord Murugan. (Pic credit - R.Dineskumar)
Devotees enter the Arulmigu Sree Ganeshar Temple to perform their prayers to Lord Ganesha - who is the elder brother of Lord Murugan before embarking on their trip to the hilltop temple. (Pic credit - R.Dineskumar)
A Lord Shiva chariot heading to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple. In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is the father of Lord Murugan and Lord Ganesha. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)
Kavadi procession en route to the Lord Murugan temple. (Pic credit - R.Dineskumar)
A devotee breaking coconut at the route which leads to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple. (Pic credit - R.Dineskumar)
Hindu devotees embarking on a "hike" to the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple through the 511 stairs. (Pic credit: R. Dineskumar)
Devotees halfway on their journey to the hilltop temple. (Pic credit - R.Dineskumar)
Devotees arrive at their final destination - the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple where they will make their offerings to Lord Murugan and perform prayers. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)
Devotees visit the hilltop Lord Ayyapan temple, located next to the Lord Murugan temple to perform their prayers. The temple has a pond, where visitors can be seen tossing coins. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)
The heavy traffic of devotees heading to the hilltop temple, seen from the opposite route heading to Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva temple downstairs. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)
The view of the hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple from the nearby Lord Ayyapan temple. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)
The lively scenery of devotees around the temple grounds. (Pic credit - R. Dineskumar)

I would like to apologise for not taking more photos of happenings around the temple grounds and the routes heading to the temple such as devotees performing mudi kannikai (head balding offering), as well as charity groups, government agencies and the state's landmark Universiti Sains Malaysia offering foods and beverages to the devotees.

I look forward to taking more photos for next year's celebration.

Vetrivel Murugannuku Arogara !!

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