MALAYSIA: Hindus gathered in temples across Malaysia on Saturday to celebrate the annual Thaipusam festival, with many piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers, despite concerns about the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
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Worshippers walked barefoot up u00a0 u009d u00a0 steps to reach the templeu2014 an important religious site for Tamil Hindusu2014 armed with gifts, including milk pots, which are eventually smashed as offerings.
Some devotees appeared to be in a state of trance as they carried the kavadis, which can weigh as much as . . . kg.
The crowd at the Batu Caves looked as big as in previous years despite worries about the new virus, and only a handful were wearing protective masks.
The pathogen has killed hundreds and infected tens of thousands in China and is spreading around the world.
Malaysia has so far reported . . cases, mostly in visiting Chinese nationals.
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