Malaysia Holds Thaipusam Festival For First Time Since Pandemic

SELANGOR, MALAYSIA - FEBRUARY 5: Kalaivanan Rajenthiran, 35, a classical dancer performs a peacock dance known as ''Mayilattam'' during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves on February 5, 2023 in Selangor, Malaysia. After two years of celebrating Thaipusam on a small scale due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hindu festival is back in full celebration as devotees commemorate the day when the goddess Parvathi gave her son Lord Murugan a powerful lance to fight the good over evil. The annual procession by Hindu devotees pray and fulfil their vows by piercing parts of their body such as their cheeks, tongues, and backs before carrying a 'Kavadi' or milk pots on a journey of faith to seek blessings. (Footage by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)