Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a festival that is celebrated by Tamil Indians. The festival occurs on the "full moon of the Tamil month and celebrates Lord Subramaniam also known as Murugan, who is a symbol of youth, beauty, virtue and bravery". Kavadi which means "sacrifice at every step" is a form of self sacrifice that is performed by the worshipers of Lord Subramaniam. It is a physical burden that each devotee takes up in order to ask for help or to have a future favor granted. Hindus believe that Lord Subraminiam is the universal dispenser of favors.
The prep for this event actually starts long before the actual day of the festival. Fasting and cleansing rituals begin 48 days before the celebration. The day of the celebration heads are shaved.
A spear pierced through cheeks and tongue prevents the devotee from speaking and keeps his thoughts focused on god. Basically the greater the pain the more god-earned merit.
(notice the main supporting posts of the headpiece are pierced through his skin)
The prep for this event actually starts long before the actual day of the festival. Fasting and cleansing rituals begin 48 days before the celebration. The day of the celebration heads are shaved.
A spear pierced through cheeks and tongue prevents the devotee from speaking and keeps his thoughts focused on god. Basically the greater the pain the more god-earned merit.
Yes those are limes attached to his back
And this one has metal containers filled with milk on his back
This was pretty shocking
The largest Thaipusam festivals does not occur in India but in Singapore, Mauritius and Malaysia. Evidently thousands of people will complete Kavadi in Singapore this year.
Just in case it wasn't abundantly clear, these large pieces that they are wearing are incredibly heavy (up to 90lbs) and attached by flesh.
Labels:
Living in Singapore
OUCH!
That is so hard to watch
I think you have seen EVERYTHING now Lynn.