Thaipusam Festival Piercings
Hindu Festival of Thaipusam is more than just a music and prayer festival. Ritual body piercing also occurs during the festival that takes place under a full moon to pray to Lord Murugan for a year of good health and peace. Thaipusam is celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and other various parts of the world sometime in January or February.
While piercing is not mandatory, more extreme worshippers will get pierced while in a trance like state. Hooks and skewers will normally be used for jewelry. One of the main events is said to be over the top worshippers pulling chariots or other heavy objects with their piercings. Most people will just pierce cheeks or tongues to affect their speech so they can concentrate on worshipping.
