Little India is an ethnic Indian enclave located in George Town, covering an area around Queen Street, Chulia Street and Market Street. Rows of shops selling various Indian apparels, merchandise and food can be found in this area in addition to Penang’s oldest old Indian temple, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Little India is especially crowded during festive season such as Diwali or Deepavali.
“The simplest kavadi is a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition, some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance. Other types of kavadi involve hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the hooks varying the level of pain.”
More scenes can be found HERE.
For these devotees, they were pulling the large chariot for the Hindu goddess Kali via ropes which were hooked to the back of their bodies.
Piercing is very common for the devotees.
For some, it was a family affair.
Ropes with hooks attached at the back of the devotees.
Devotees usually prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting approximately 48 days before Thaipusam.
During this day, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). In Penang, the pilgrimage’s common destination is the Waterfall Hill Temple.
Hindus generally take a vow to offer a kavadi to a deity or god for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity.
More scenes can be found HERE.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community annually. In Malaysia, many Hindu devotees generally will flock to the Batu Caves in Selangor or the Waterfall Temple in Penang to celebrate this festival. One of the main highlights of the festival is the kavadi being carried by devotees seeking help from the God Murugan (as shown in the picture above).
The Nagarathar Sivan Temple located along Dato Kramat Road is a South Indian temple built for the worship of the Hindu deity Shiva.
It is located across the road from the newly established Penang Times Square complex.
A Hindu Temple at Ayer Itam area on the way to the Penang Hill.
One of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang and the most famous in the island. A new temple complex is built on higher ground recently behind the old temple and is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
More on the temple HERE.
Sri Kamatchi Amman Temple is an old Indian temple located along Dato Kramat road.
The MYR 3 million Sri Visalatchi Sri Vishwanather Temple (Sivan Temple), believed to be the biggest Sivan temple in the northern region, is the latest attraction of the Hindu religious enclave in Bayan Baru, Penang. The Hindu temple is located next to the Charismatic Church of Penang and the Than Hsiang Buddhist Temple.
Located at Queen Street, the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang wich was built in 1833. The temple is also referred as Mariamman Temple or Queen Street Indian Temple. Since 1833, the temple has stood at the same location for more than 200 years. Like other Hindu temples, fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses can be found over its main entrance and facade. Built in the south Indian Dravidian style, the temple has an impressive gopuram (tower). Rising above the entrance, it features Hindu deities, soldiers and floral decorations.
For more info, check out on Wikipedia
The back view of the temple.