Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by the Tamils in Singapore to honor the
Hindu god Murugan.
Many devotees believe that participating in Thaipusam is an act of penance,
while others believe that it is the only way to show their gratitude and faith to
Lord Murugan for granting their wishes.
In preparation for the festival, devotees would fast and observe a vegetarian
diet for weeks.
On the day of Thaipusam, devotees gather very early at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal
Temple to pray and to have their cheeks, tongues and bodies pierced with spears,
skewers and hooks.
After that, they would embark on a four-kilometer journey to the Lord Murugan
temple, with many carrying Kavadis (burdens) on their shoulders or pulling
chariots by way of ropes and hooks pierced into their backs. One common
form of Kavadi is a structure of metal frames which supports the spears that
have been pierced into the devotees' bodies.
Because of their immense weight and the discomfort of supporting them, the Kavadis
and the chariots impede the devotees' movements, making the journey more difficult.
When they finally arrived at the Lord Murugan temple, they are greeted like heroes
by thousands of devotees who have already gathered there since the early hours
of the day.
