Thaipusam is one of the most cherished and colourful celebrations in the Hindu calendar. Most outsiders associate this annual festival with the fearsome kavadis, which are large metal or wood harnesses that devotees carry while they walk in procession; some devotees also opt to pierce their skin with hooks and spikes. Why would anyone want to subject themselves to this kind of pain? Such sacrifices is carried out in Thaipusam for devotees to express repentance, as well as thanksgiving.

This year, Thaipusam fell over last weekend – 7 and 8 Feb. The festival is dedicated to Lord Murugan – the Tamil God of War and Destruction, and in Singapore the processions starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road until Sri Thandayuthapani Temple at Tank Road.

Arul reflects on the meaning and spirituality of the fesitval as celebrated in Singapore, while the Summers Family found themselves grimacing in pain. Mr Wise Guy caught some closeups of the towering kavadis, and for the less squeamish, you can also see how a devotee’s kavadi is dismantled after a gruelling 4km walk (warning: graphic imagery, but no blood!)

To see how Thaipusam is celebrated on the other end of the peninsula (Penang), check out my post here.