Thaipusam Festival Singapore
The Tamil Hindu festival of Thaipusam is only celebrated in 5 places in the world. I was lucky enough to experience it in Singapore in 2007. With my camera I was able to capture a close up view of the body piercings which are meant to show a family’s devotion to the god Murukan, the personification of wisdom. In this photo, the man was pulling a heavy ‘offering’ for 5km via these back piercings. Participants carry offerings for the gods as an act of penance. However, to me it appeared as one of the most painful processes I’ve ever seen!
The unique and painful festival is celebrated this weekend on Jan. 30th in Singapore, Batu Caves, Penang, Jahor Baru, and Ipoh. (the last 4 locations are in Malaysia) If you are anywhere near these locations, I implore you to go check it out; it’s a day you’ll never forget!
To learn more about the Thaipusam, you can read my original post on my Thaipusam experience.
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
