Malaysians are marking Thaipusam Festival in a colourful and dramatic celebration that includes ritual, dance and striking acts of devotion. These take place in a limestone cave landscape that echoes with the sound of prayer and the footsteps of millions of devotees as dawn breaks. Thaipusam, which is also celebrated in India, Sri Lanka, and Singapore, commemorates Lord Murugan’s victory over the demon Soorapadman and serves as a divine reminder of the triumph of good over evil through the holy spear given to him by his mother, Goddess Parvati. Tamilians were among the first Indians to arrive …