Shower before pilgrimage

REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)

A young Hindu devotee takes a shower before starting his pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of Hindus, who comprise over eight percent of the 26 million Malaysia's population, participate in the annual Hindu thanksgiving festival, in which devotees subject themselves to painful rituals in a demonstration of faith and penance, held in honour of Lord Subramaniam.