Thaipusam Festival 2010 - Part 1

Here we go folks!  I have a brazillion photos to edit, but I am close to being up and running at 100% now.

These photos are not for the weak - if you pass out at a nose bleed, it is best you step back now.  If you don't like piercings, this is about a lot of piercings on one body.  If the thought makes you weak just back up, walk away and come back in a week when things are a bit more pleasant  :-)

A little background on the festival here:

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai during Jan/Feb.  The festival commemorates two things; both the birthday of Murugan (Tamil god of war), the youngest son of god Shiva and his wife Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a spear so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

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 fulfill their vows.  Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting.  Kavadi bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan.  The kavadi bearer observes celibacy and take only pure Savic food, one meal a day, while continuously thinking of god.

The preparations actually start 48 days prior to the two day Thaipusam festival. The devotees purge themselves of all mental and physical impurities. They take only one vegetarian meal per day and 24 hours prior to Thaipusam they must maintain a complete fast.  The devotees prepare themselves by following strict purification austerities that include:

• Transcendence of desire
• Shaving of the head
• Following a vegetarian diet and refraining from alcohol
• Sexual abstinence
• Bathing in cold water
• Sleeping on the floor
• Regular prayers

On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads, undertake a pilgrimage along a set route, while engaging in various acts of devotion - notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). Here in Singapore, the route is 4 k long, starts at one temple and ends at another temple with the family of the kavadi carrier surrounding and encouraging him the entire route while some carrying their own burdens.  At its simplest, the burdens may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing of the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is quite common.

The Kavadi consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the devotee. It is often decorated with flowers, and peacock fathers (the vehicle of God Murugan) among other things.  A multi-tiered elaborate kavadi might weigh up to 30k (60 lbs)!  Being quite heavy it takes several men to lift it into place and steady it.  Once they have done that, they start the piercings.

The simplest kavadi is a semi circular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders to the temple.  IN addition, some have a small spear (or two) through their tongue, and/or a spear through the cheeks.  The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan.  It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance. 

The most spectacular practice is the vel kavadi, essentially a portable altar up to two meters tall, decorated with peacock feathers and attached to the devotee through 108 vels pierced into the skin on the chest and back. The kavadi is attached to the body through piercings as well.  Fire walking and flagellation may also be practiced. It is claimed that devotees are able to enter a trance, feel no pain, do not bleed from their wounds and have no scars left behind.

We have heard it said that this is all mind over matter and as stated above; there supposedly is no pain.  I do agree with the mind over matter; but we saw pain.  We saw a very small (drops) amount of blood, but instead mostly a clear oozing of fluids.  While the daggers, hooks, spikes and other sharp instruments are being shoved in, there were dozens of men around the kavadar carrier, holding him, pinching, him, and chanting with loud bands were playing nearby.  I am sure it is a distraction for them while the piercings are being done, but I think if it had been quiet, we might also have heard cries of pain.  

We saw the faces - and some were in severe pain, but 'bucking up' - it was evident in their faces and movements that there was pain.  We also saw very young boys who were terrified, but were having it done as well.  Those with evident pain must not have found the 'trance' they needed.  :-(  Of course, let me be clear, there was indeed a great amount of men that made it look easy and had obviously found their 'trance-like' state.  We heard no howls of pain and saw no weeping.  It was indeed a sight to behold.

Here  is an interview with a kavadi carrier.

Now for the picures.  I will be sharing (and editing) for several days, so sit back and enjoy the Thaipusam Festival 2010 in Singapore!

 

I have a whole new respect for the saying "pins and needles" now.  lol... That is all for today folks, but there will be more tomorrow  :-)