Thaipusam

Thaipusam honours Lord Murugan. In 2027 it falls on Friday 22 January in Malaysia's official holiday calendar, a public holiday in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Putrajaya. At Batu Caves, on the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur, devotees carry kavadi, a decorated frame borne on the shoulders, or pitchers of milk, and climb the 272 steps to the Temple Cave. A silver chariot sets out from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur, followed by a procession of thousands, on the roughly 15 km journey to Batu Caves.

Crowds are very large: RTM, Malaysia's national broadcaster, reported that more than 2.5 million visitors were expected at Batu Caves for Thaipusam 2026.

Visiting respectfully

Thaipusam is an act of worship. Penang's official tourism portal advises visitors to temples to dress modestly and respect local customs; shoes come off before entering temples, and photography may be restricted. The Batu Caves temple trustee asks visitors to leave shoes in their car or carry them in a cloth bag, and to use the bins. The Temple Cave is reached only by the 272 steps; no official accessibility information is published.

Singapore

In Singapore the procession runs about 4 km from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, with live music allowed at designated points. Check the Hindu Endowments Board for the 2027 arrangements.

• The silver chariot procession: Lord Murugan's chariot leaves Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur before dawn for the roughly 15 km journey to Batu Caves (Tourism Malaysia).
• Kavadi and milk pots: devotees fulfilling vows carry kavadi or pitchers of milk up the 272 steps to the Temple Cave (Tourism Malaysia).
• The Murugan statue at Batu Caves: built in 2006, with lighting upgraded for Thaipusam 2026 (RTM).
• Penang: a three-day celebration at the Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani temple, with a Golden Chariot procession (Penang Hindu Endowments Board).
• Singapore: a procession of about 4 km from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (National Heritage Board).

• Batu Caves and Gombak: within walking distance of the temple steps, useful when trains and roads are at their busiest.
• KL Sentral and Brickfields: the KTM Komuter runs from KL Sentral to Batu Caves, the last station on the line (Visit Selangor), and the KLIA Ekspres from the airport ends here.
• Central Kuala Lumpur near Sri Maha Mariamman Temple: close to where the chariot procession starts before dawn (Tourism Malaysia).
• George Town, Penang: for Penang's own three-day celebration and Golden Chariot procession (Penang Hindu Endowments Board).

Fly into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). The KLIA Ekspres runs non-stop to KL Sentral in about 28 minutes; from there the KTM Komuter Batu Caves line runs to Batu Caves, the last station on the line, at the foot of the steps (Visit Selangor). For Thaipusam 2026, KTMB ran Komuter trains 24 hours a day from 30 January to 2 February, with 609 special trips and free fares for 48 hours; it announced these on 20 January 2026. Check KTMB for the 2027 arrangements. With crowds in the millions, travel early.

We don't have a city guide for Kuala Lumpur yet; see our Malaysia guide.

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Thaipusam is a public religious observance, not a ticketed event: no tickets are sold to watch the procession or visit the temple. Visit Selangor states that entry to the Temple Cave at Batu Caves is free; you reach it by the 272 steps. For the Singapore procession, check the Hindu Endowments Board for 2027 arrangements.

Thaipusam is an act of worship and a fulfilment of vows, so watch from the side and leave the route clear for devotees carrying kavadi or milk pots. Penang's official tourism portal advises dressing modestly and respecting local customs at places of worship, notes that shoes are usually removed before entering temples, and says photography may be restricted in some areas. Ask before photographing devotees, and don't photograph anyone who signals no.

The trustee of Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam asks visitors to leave shoes in their car or carry them in a cloth bag: after the 2025 festival nearly three tonnes of discarded shoes had to be thrown away (RTM). Use the bins. Long-tailed macaques live around the caves (Visit Selangor), so keep food and bags closed. Bring water and sun protection, and check the MET Malaysia forecast before you go.

The Temple Cave is reached only by the 272 steps, and no official accessibility information is published for Thaipusam at Batu Caves. In 2026 KTMB said its stations open 24 hours for the festival would have extra staff to help older passengers and people with disabilities (RTM). For questions about the temple, contact the Temple Management Office listed by Visit Selangor (+603 6189 6284).

Crowds at Batu Caves are very large: the temple trustee expected more than 2.5 million visitors for Thaipusam 2026. The Royal Malaysia Police handle security, procession control and visitor movement, with Gombak district police covering Batu Caves (RTM). Follow police and steward instructions, and arrange a meeting point in case you are separated.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for Malaysia (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.