Thaipusam

One of the first celebrations that I was able to witness in Penang was Thaipusam. This is a Hindu festival that is held each year at the time of the full moon that occurs between mid-January to mid-February. Parades and rituals are held in many locations throughout southeast Asia. The festival is the opportunity for Hindu followers to give thanks to one of their gods, Lord Murugan, a son of Shiva.

according to the BBC website...

On the day of Thaipusam itself devotees go to different lengths to show their devotion.

Some simply join the crowds processing in the intense heat to climb the steps to say prayers to Lord Murugan at his shrine.

Some carry pots of milk or "paal kudam" on their heads as a show of devotion and love to the god.

Others carry elaborate frameworks on their shoulders called "kavadis", which have long chains hanging down with hooks at the end which are pushed into their backs. (Kavadis can be carried in honour of other deities as well as Murugan.)

Many of these pilgrims are pierced with two skewers (or 'vels' - symbolic spears); one through the tongue, and one through the cheeks.

The piercing by skewers symbolises several things:

• that the pilgrim has temporarily renounced the gift of speech so that he or she may concentrate more fully upon the deity
• that the devotee has passed wholly under the protection of the deity who will not allow him/her to shed blood or suffer pain
• the transience of the physical body in contrast with the enduring power of truth

Still others go even further and pull heavy chariots fastened to metal hooks in the skin of their backs. The skin tugs as they go, and they grunt and growl.

The devotees who go to these extremes say they don't feel any pain because they are in a spiritual and devotional trance which brings them closer to Lord Murugan. The trance can be induced by chanting, drumming and incense.

Pictured above is a Man who seems to be "psyching himself out" to prepare for the body piercings of items that will attach to him before he makes his way through the streets on his way to honor his god.

Women also participate, however not as many.

People are watching as many of the "believers" are getting their bodies prepared 

in order for them to pay their respects to Lord Murugan.

After their bodies are prepared they stop at this small shrine before 

making their way into the festival procession towards the Balathandayuthapani Temple.

walking up the steps toward the temple and overlooking Penang

Inside people gather around and sit and visit with each other after paying their respects.

The Balathandayuthapani Temple

watching as some men were carrying this older man down from the temple

Many choose to have their heads completely shaved as a token of gratitude and devotion. Women and children can also participate but not as frequent as the men.