PENANG, MALAYSIA, February 2, 2007: Britisher Lakshmi Love, 35, persuaded his best friend, Alex Catchpole, 25, to join him in Penang for the annual Thaipusam festival. They both walked the 10 km. trek from the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple carrying pal kudam (milk pots) and were encouraged whole-heartedly by the Hindu community to complete the pilgrimage. Catchpol prepared for the journey by reading about Hindu culture. He said, “There is nothing like Thaipusam celebrations here.” He also explained that as part of his vow he wanted the world to continue to have clean water as “only then will everything remain clean and pure.” Love added, “I wish for family and world peace.” Other foreigners in attendance were Singaporean Kal Randhawa, 46, Laura Hams, 28, from France, and Matsuya Hitomi, 36, from Japan. Hams commented, “This is the first time I have come across such a thing. It is fantastic, spiritual and breathtaking.”
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