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Thaipusam actually celebrates the birthday of the Hindu deity Subramaniam. On this occasion, Hindus show the sincerity of their faith. It is a time for making and fulfilling vows. Devotees pray for divine help and make vows. When their prayers are answered, they fulfil their vows.

To do this, a devotee would pierce his cheeks, tongue, face or other suitable body parts with sharp objects. Next his friends or relatives load a *kavadi on his shoulder. Finally, in a trance-like manner, he goes on a 4km journey of faith.

Others, including young children, might join the procession carrying only milk pots. The Thaipusam Singapore procession starts at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road and ends at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple on Tank Road.

At first look, one might think that the festival starts at one temple and ends at another. Not so. Many of the devotees start fasting a month before the Thaipusam Singapore festivities. Others fast a week. Yet others three days.

A Hindu friend said this to me, "If you are going to put a 12-inch skewer through your cheeks and a hundred spikes in your chest, you'd better take your fast seriously!"

* A kavadi is a cage-like structure carried by devotees during the Thaipusam Festival.

It is traditionally decorated with peacock feathers and aluminium plates which show images of Hindu deities. Sharp spikes criss-cross its lower section.

An elaborate kavadi might weigh up to 15kg! It is quite something just to lift it. But these chaps I saw actually walked with them for 4km - kavadis, skewers, hooks, spikes and all!

Some of them even skipped and danced with their kavadis. Either they have great endurance or they have some supernatural help.