At Hindu festival in Singapore, body-piercings and grueling hike are a thing of joy

Singapore rite looks painful, yet smiles abound

SINGAPORE — These body piercings have nothing to do with fashion — they are Hindu devotees’ way of fulfilling their vows to the deity Lord Muruga. The rite is part of the annual festival of Thaipusam, which this year drew some 9,500 believers in the island city-state of Singapore.

After being pierced with metal pins on different parts of their bodies, the faithful set off on a 4 kilometer (2½-mile) walk from one temple, many carrying kavadis, ornately decorated canopies that can weigh up to 45 kilograms (nearly 100 pounds) with hooks and pins sticking into the body. At least one made the hike on sandals with nails sticking into his soles.

The grueling walk took some of participants six hours, with friends and relatives surrounding them, singing and chanting prayers.

And when asked if they feel any pain, almost all answered “No!” Some of them seemed to drift in and out of a trance. Some danced as though their kavadis weighed nothing. Faces were expressionless and there was little sign of blood.

Velu Thanga Pandian, 44, has been participating in Thaipusam rituals for more than 20 years. A back injury a few years ago means he can’t carry a heavy kavadi, so he opted for the nail-studded sandals.

Today, a severe back injury which happened a few years ago has forced Pandian to now carry a simplified Kavadi.

He said his penance would earn credits, not for himself but for his descendants. Asked if he felt pain, he smiled, eyes closed, and said: “The feeling is beautiful… just beautiful.”