Everyone had that one friend in high school with multiple piercings – some visible, some not. Well, they got nothing on the devotees observing Thaipusam.
Warning: photos are somewhat graphic.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by the Tamil community. Occurring during the full moon in the Tamil month Thai (usually January or February), Thaipusam honors Lord Murugan. Devotees seek blessing and give thanks by carrying milk pots or kavadis (elaborate contraptions) and piercing their bodies with spikes.
The ceremony in Singapore begins early in the morning at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India where family members provide support and assist with preparations.
Participants then walk 4.5 km from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple along Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road.
The Thaipusam festival is quite the spectacle and certainly attracts a crowd along the route.
Here is a short video of the procession and some photos of the preparations.
For more information about Thaipusam here is a link from yoursingapore.com.
um…what’s the point?
It’s a religious thing. People doing this are basically giving thanks for answered prayers, seeking blessings or as penance. It’s actually much more extreme in other places.
….sorry – it was a lame joke.
Was at work so way too serious…that WAS funny:)
Interesting, but Ouch!!
Our thoughts exactly!