Thaipusam

This is another great photo i wanna share with you guys. Thaipusam is most famous for the handful of worshipers who pierce their faces and bodies with swords, skewers, and hooks. Heavy, artistic shrines known as kavadis (burdens) are attached to volunteers with sharp skewers.

Sometimes the contraptions are so large that several men have to offer assistance.

The kavadis are then carried through the crowd until finally removed for prayers at a designated place. Other worshipers carry pots of milk as offerings to Lord Murgan.

The worshipers who pierce their tongues, cheeks, and faces with sharp objects hardly bleed and report feeling very little pain! Many claim that their wounds heal nearly immediately and don't produce scars.

Before being pierced, devotees are worked into a trance-like state with chanting and drums. Once entranced, the crowd helps to take care of them and leads them through the procession. Tongues are often pierced and pinned as a symbolic gesture that the volunteer is giving up the ability to talk.

Much like other Hindu festivals, Thaipusam is a colorful, chaotic celebration, although, it certainly isn't as messy as Holi!!