Chinese New year 2011

A man arranges spiral joss stick at a Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur), February 2nd 2011 on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Chinese around the world celebrate the lunar new year, the Year of the Rabbit which brings happiness and good fortune.


A man burn incense sticks in a Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur) on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year on Februrary 2, 2011.


A woman tries to light up the sky lanterns in Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur) on February 2, 2011 to celebrate the Chinese New Year's Eve. The sky lantern is a symbol of peace, good wishes and safety.


People release sky lanterns in Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur) on February 2, 2011 to celebrate the Chinese New Year's Eve. The sky lantern is a symbol of peace, good wishes and safety.


A man burn the joss stick in a Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur) on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year on Februrary 2, 2011.


A woman burn the joss stick in a Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur) on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year on Februrary 2, 2011.


Peoples watching the fireworks light up at the midnight skyline at Centipede Temple, Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur) celebrating Chinese New Year's Eve on February 2, 2011.

Getting ready to ring in the Lunar New year

A worker carries mandarin oranges for the upcoming Chinese New Year at a shop in Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur). January 26, 2011.


A worker shows some of the mandarin oranges at a shop during for up coming Chinese new year festival in Seremban (100km of southern Kuala Lumpur). January 26, 2011.

Thaipusam 2011 in B+W

Thaipusam 2011

A Malaysian Hindu devotee performs a ritual bath before his pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam celebrations on January 20, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


A screaming devotee in a state of trance at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, 20 January 2011.


A Hindu devotees carries the 'Kavadi' (burden) to make pilgrimage next to a giant statue of Lord Murugan at the Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur on January 20, 2011.


A Hindu family asking for a good wish to her daughter from a Hindu devotees pilgrimage near the Batu Caves at sunrise during Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur on January  20, 2011. The Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which commemorates the day when Goddess Pavarthi gave her son Lord Murugan an invincible lance with which he destroyed evil demons, is celebrated by some two million ethnic Indians in Malaysia.


A screaming devotee in a state of trance at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, 20 January 2011.


A Hindu devotees heading towards the 272 steps of Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur on the eve of the annual festival of Thaipusam. There are an estimated 25 million Indians in a worldwide diaspora who are now being wooed by the motherland as India emerges as a new economic powerhouse. Kuala Lumpur, 20 January 2011.


A screaming devotee in a state of trance at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, 20 January 2011.

Chariot begins journey to Batu Caves for Thaipusam

Malaysian Hindu devotees carry the Lord Murugan statue's silver chariot in a 10km procession to Batu Caves temple on January 19, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An estimated 600,000 people attended the festival, which included many devotees embarking on a pilgrimage.


Hindu devotees pray when the Lord Muruga's chariot arrived during the Thaipusam Hindu festival (also called the Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam festival in Malaysia) on January 19, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 600,000 people are expected to attend the festival which begins by followers shaving their heads before embarking on a pilgrimage of devotion. Pilgrims engage in acts of devotion along the way, with mortification of the flesh by piercing themselves with vel skewers.


Hindu devotees pray in front of Lord Muruga's chariot during the Thaipusam Hindu festival (also called the Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam festival in Malaysia) on January 19, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


Malaysian Hindu devotees carry the Lord Murugan statue's silver chariot in a 10km procession to Batu Caves temple on January 19, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An estimated 600,000 people attended the festival, which included many devotees embarking on a pilgrimage.


Malaysian Hindu devotees carry the Lord Murugan statue's silver chariot in a 10km procession to Batu Caves temple on January 19, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An estimated 600,000 people attended the festival, which included many devotees embarking on a pilgrimage.