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Hi from George Town!
That’s only in spirit because, last week, I tried my best to focus on finishing my long-awaited report on Penang Thaipusam, a gigantic Hindu festival that only India makes bigger than Malaysia does.
While my body is still in Central Europe, this is my new reality. Locking myself behind a desktop and catching up with my too-fast travel itineraries. You can expect content from Southeast Asia in the following months for sure, too.
Thaipusam is a festival that’s been going on for centuries, and it has this evergreen flavor anyway. I kind of like the fact that I’m pushing it out during the Holy Week for Christians.
Religious stories are different, but they all come to something very similar – the good will prevail over evil.
You could have learned about Thaipusam’s extreme nature in my 2017 and 2019 reports from Batu Caves. Thaipusam in Penang has its own peculiarities, great hospitality included. I, just like 1.5 million other visitors, didn’t have to pay a dime for food during Thaipusam days. Meals were free, but also very good. I didn’t expect anything less from this island known for its gastronomy.
As for Thaipusam’s body practices which include enduring the piercings and other physical challenges in honor of Lord Murugan, don’t think that radical penitence belongs only to Hindus, or those self-harming Taoists in Phuket.
Christianity also has its own quirky enclaves, where devotees live the pain as a path to enlightenment. Just this week, some people in the Philippines will willingly go through real crucifixion, honoring Jesus‘ suffering on the cross. You can read more about the Maleldo Festival here.
So whether you belong to Eastern or Western civilization, the roots of our quest for salvation can be freakishly similar.
The topic is complex, but I don’t think these extreme acts are just about attention-seeking. Well, read on about the Thaipusam in Penang, and let me know what you think!
Have a painless Holy Week!
Ivan Kralj
Pipeaway.com
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