Thaipussan Little India

The temple in Little India where the devotees begin their 4.5k trek.

This devotee was dancing! Note the 108 swords piercing his body, and the oranges hanging by hooks from his waist.

Thousands of devotees and their supporting families make this trek each year.

Near the end and exhausted....

This devotee is pulling an altar by ropes attached to hooks through his back. His cheeks are pierced.

This man has cups of milk suspended by hooks on his chest, his cheeks are pierced, and he is wearing shoes made of nails.

In the prep area, this devotee is having swords pierced into his body prior to his trek.

Thaipussan is an important religious celebration in Little India. Each year thousands of devotees begin the celebration with a 45 day fast and prayer time, and end it with a 4.5k trek between 2 temples in Little India. Devotees have their bodies pierced with swords and hooks, their cheeks and tongues pierced closed with rods, wear shoes with nails, and often hang limes or oranges on the hooks. The astonishing thing is, there is NEVER a drop of blood shed! I've seen it myself, and the pictures prove it. This is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen!