YST (aka kryptos5)'s photostream

Today is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the day of the Pusam star in the month of Thai (between January and February of the Tamil calendar). It commemorates the day Lord Muruga received a "vel" spear blessed by Mother Shakti. With it, Lord Muruga vanquished the demonic forces and liberated everyone.

On Thaipusam, devotees carry "kavadi" (burdens) to show gratitude towards Lord Muruga. Some do it in fulfillment of prayers, some, to seek boons while others, as a form of spiritual development. There're different forms of "kavadi", including carrying a pot of milk atop the head, or carrying a decorated canopy on the shoulders. But mortification of flesh is also common. One way of doing this is by piercing the back with hooks that are pulled by another devotee walking behind.

100mm f/2.8 1/500s ISO 400

Today is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the day of the Pusam star in the month of Thai (between January and February of the Tamil calendar). It commemorates the day Lord Muruga received a "vel" spear blessed by Mother Shakti. With it, Lord Muruga vanquished the demonic forces and liberated everyone.

On Thaipusam, devotees carry "kavadi" (burdens) to show gratitude towards Lord Muruga. Some do it in fulfillment of prayers, some, to seek boons while others, as a form of spiritual development. There're different forms of "kavadi", including carrying a pot of milk atop the head, or carrying a decorated canopy on the shoulders. But mortification of flesh is also common. One way of doing this is by piercing the tongue and cheeks with a "vel" skewer.

50mm f/2.0 1/640s ISO 200

Today is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the day of the Pusam star in the month of Thai (between January and February of the Tamil calendar). It commemorates the day Lord Muruga received a "vel" spear blessed by Mother Shakti. With it, Lord Muruga vanquished the demonic forces and liberated everyone.

On Thaipusam, devotees carry "kavadi" (burdens) to show gratitude towards Lord Muruga. Some do it in fulfillment of prayers, some, to seek boons while others, as a form of spiritual development. There're different forms of "kavadi", including carrying a pot of milk atop the head. The "kavadi" in this photo is a decorated canopy carried on the shoulders all the way to the temple.

100mm f/2.8 1/800s ISO 400

Today is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the day of the Pusam star in the month of Thai (between January and February of the Tamil calendar). It commemorates the day Lord Muruga received a "vel" spear blessed by Mother Shakti. With it, Lord Muruga vanquished the demonic forces and liberated everyone.

On Thaipusam, devotees carry "kavadi" (burdens) to show gratitude towards Lord Muruga. Some do it in fulfillment of prayers, some, to seek boons while others, as a form of spiritual development. There're different forms of "kavadi", including carrying a pot of milk atop the head. This shot shows another form of "kavadi" consisting of a semicircular canopy supported by a wooden rod and carried on the shoulder.

100mm f/3.5 1/250s ISO 200

Today is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the day of the Pusam star in the month of Thai (between January and February of the Tamil calendar). It commemorates the day Lord Muruga received a "vel" spear blessed by Mother Shakti. With it, Lord Muruga vanquished the demonic forces and liberated everyone.

On Thaipusam, some devotees carry the "paal kudam" (pot of milk - the simplest form of "kavadi" or burden) to offer to the gods in fulfillment of vows. The milk is brought to the temple and poured on the statue of Lord Muruga.

100mm f/2.8 1/6000s ISO 400