KUALA LUMPUR: Over a million flooded Batu Caves for Thaipusam on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple trustee and information team coordinator Datuk N. Suresh Kumar said that around 1.75mil people have visited Batu Caves from Wednesday till noon and more are expected to come.
At early hours in the morning, a huge crowd had gathered at the entrance of Batu Caves along with the kavadi procession stretching to the bridge across the Batu Caves KTM railway station.
Lively and festive urumi melam drum beats rang in the air, paving the way for kavadi bearers behind them.
As hours passed, the day grew hotter and sweat glistened off the shoulders of kavadi bearers. Nevertheless, they persevered with a supportive team to walk with them, providing water and a chair for the bearer to rest between intervals.
Around 11am, the crowd leading up to the Batu Caves staircase grew thicker, painting the stairways in bright yellow.
At least ten kavadi bearers stood in line to proceed up the stairs and eight were already making their way up.
Among the crowd were also tourists witnessing the lively Thaipusam festival.
At noon, the crowds have lessened and the stairway is less packed. The number of kavadi bearers have also reduced.
The day is as hot as ever but many devotees still walk barefooted on the burning tarmac for their pilgrimage.
The crowd is expected to grow later in the day after 4pm.
