more from Thaipusam

During the two days of the pilgrimage that the devotees were making to the Waterfall Temple there were an estimated 1.2 million participants according to the newspaper.  That includes a number of tourists, though from my observation of the crowd not a lot were western, though there were a few.   As Charles & Linda's house was so close we came and went frequently.  I went seven times from relatively early to somewhat late at night (for me).  The crowd changed a lot of the time both in make up and in density. 

During the day there were more people carrying stuff and the crowds were less dense.  (Makes sense).

Though there were choke points for sure, like when the chariot came though.  Or the occasional car,  or truck or just crowd backed up around a particular interesting performance of some sort.

one of the several temples near the top of the hill.

one of the many displays along the way in the sponsored booths. These were often stopped in front of by the guys carrying kavadis (those things on their heads) where they would dance to the very very loud music being played by the speaker as large as a person - or two.

and at night the crowds got very large.

We saw this guy getting prepared to head out to the street in a yard in the entry to Charles and Linda's neighborhood. We watched final preparation. That is Marie on the right and in the back right is Patt. There were several devotees getting prepped here and beginning their trek.

more kavadis- one in full dance.  One of these guys in a different arrangement about ran over Linda as he got a bit out of control - or Linda got a little close — I too about got hit and got out of the way in a hurry.

Shoes off before entering one of the temples near the entry to the Waterfall temple.

Note the two dancing guys in front of the big kavadi.  Guys like this were everywhere, often in large groups either attached to the kavadi guy or not and often creating people traffic jams.  

Fruit man was interesting and kept up a good pace for a while. Those white things are sea shells.

a tourist checking on the resting kavadi guy. It was amazing how accommodating they were to tourists and others interested in what they were doing.

In many of the large traffic jams of people in order to move through the crowd people would put their hands on the shoulders of the person in front and just follow in a snake like fashion and these snakes would move through the crowd, often passing one going the opposite direction or running parallel to one for a while. Really efficient and interesting. I would say something like "lets go" or "I am with you" as I placed my hand on someones shoulder, though, people would do so to me no one ever spoke. Most times I got no response as I suspect they could not hear me though once or twice I got a turn around and a approving smile at seeing a "westerner".  This guy at the end of the crowd asked me to be in a "selfie" with him, so I in turn asked him and his mother to be in one with me.

Three boys out looking for someone to help — probably- but glad to be photographed by me.

Either begging or collecting for a charity— not sure which.

A couple of police moving though the crowd.  As I mentioned you had to like people.  and yes I went off by myself occasionally.  I kinda liked being here — found it fun and interesting. Always something new to see, hear, smell (sometimes not so good), food and drinks to sample, or just experience.