Kuala Lumpur - Hundreds of thousands of devotees celebrated the Hindu festival of Thaipusam on Sunday, gathering at a unique cave temple to seek divine blessings
and fulfil their pledges to the gods.

Devotees and tourists alike gathered at Batu Caves, a Hindu temple located near Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, from the early morning to celebrate the richly colourful
festival.

The central figure of the festival is Murugan, the Hindu god of war, who was the son of the goddess Shiva.

Devotees pierced with skewers and hooks through their cheeks, tongues and brows, chanted and danced as a form of offering to Lord Murugan.

Many tourists and devotees began gathering at Batu Caves from last week, while temple officials say more are expected on Monday, which is a public holiday in the
country.

Thaipusam is held in the tenth month of the Hindu calendar. In the Gregorian calendar it takes place at the end of January or in early February.

Singapore, India and the Mauritius Islands all observe the festival, while in Malaysia, the festival is also celebrated on a large scale in the northern Penang state. dpa