MALAYSIA, January 28, 2026 (SAYS): Every Thaipusam, while much of the country is asleep, Malaysia’s roads quietly transform. From Kuala Lumpur to Penang, from Johor to Kuantan, ordinary streets turn into pilgrimage routes. Hundreds of thousands of barefoot devotees walk through the night towards hilltop temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, including Batu Caves, Waterfall Hill and many others across the country. Some journeys stretch over 9.3 miles, especially the route that starts from Sri Mahamariamman Temple to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves. Others are shorter, about 5.6 miles. All are undertaken barefoot, guided by chants of “Vel Vel”, the beat of drums, flickering oil lamps and the slow procession of temple chariots ahead. By the time the sky brightens, thousands have already completed a journey measured not just in distance, but in devotion. This year, more than 2.5 million people are expected at Batu Caves for Thaipusam celebrations, surpassing last year’s figures thanks to the long weekend.

For devotees, the walk has never been just a procession or about reaching a temple. It’s about vows, a test of endurance, a spiritual offering, faith carried step by step through the night, and a shared cultural experience that returns year after year. Some come seeking healing, some come to fulfill vows, and some for tradition, curiosity or simply because their parents once did the same. Along the road, distinctions blur. First-timers fall into step beside veterans. Teenagers walk beside grandparents. Strangers share water, food, encouragement and a deep understanding that sustains beyond the period. The barefoot walk is not only about endurance or devotion. It is also about belonging to a faith, to a community, to a shared experience that returns every year. For some, the journey ends in memory. For others, it is just beginning. But every Thaipusam, across Kuala Lumpur, Penang and towns throughout Malaysia, the roads fill again, and the walk continues.

Several personal testimonies at source.
https://says.com/my/features/walking-15km-barefoot-for-faith-malaysians-share-why-they-endure-the-journey-in-the-dark-for-thaipusam

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