During the procession, these highly dedicated participants - who undergo a 40 day strict regime of diet and prayers - proceed carrying the Kavadi, steel racks hung with fruits and flowers. The Kavadi are held onto their bodies with skewers that dig into their flesh and they can weigh up to 15kg (33lb)! The devotees are joined by friends and family who drum and chant to show support and keep up the devotee’s moral. (See video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRC2Tms4Ug
Some will have rows of hooks piercing the skin of their backs and some will drive skewers through both cheeks and pierce their tongues. They will parade en masse, in full torture regalia, through the streets of Little India, through downtown to Sre Thandayuthapani Temple - about 4 km! While there were many skewers piercing many parts of the body, we did not see any blood. They even "dance" along the route - it's amazing!
There were all types of people in the procession, although all of the Kavadi devotees we saw were men, many others were women and children carrying milk pots on their heads as a sign of devotion. Many people watching the procession were dressed in their finery and many wore holy ashes. Here's another video
http://www.youtube.com/user/aunardi#p/search/0/apJkTeD4bMk
In the build up to Thaipusam, these devotees must live a life of abstinence while maintaining a strict vegetarian diet. It is believed that only when the mind is free of material wants and the body free from physical pleasures that a devotee can undertake this sacred task without feeling any pain.
It was a most interesting Saturday morning!
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