Devotees either fast or observe a vegetarian diet before performing rituals like walking on fire during Thaipusam. (Unsplash pic) For Hindus, Thaipusam isn’t just a three-day religious event.

Mr Eugene Lim (centre) walking barefoot with other followers of the Yu Feng Nam Fu Xuan Shan temple along the Thaipusam procession route in the early hours of Feb 11, 2025.

The fire-walk is the ultimate event, if you can do this devotees say, you can do anything. Horton says it's not as dangerous as it looks, and those who participate leave inspired.

GEORGE TOWN: Designer R. Ramesh has produced many different kinds of kavadis for Thaipusam over the last 30 years – but this year, he is really on fire.