The Thaipusam festival is celebrated annually by Hindu devotees on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai. It is a thanksgiving festival, where devotees participate in a long procession to honor the Hindu god Murugan.
This is my first time photographing the festival, so I set out to look for interesting details. Thanks to Edgar for letting me tag along and sharing some tips and Don for the EF 135mm F/2L USM, which is a beast of a lens and extremely helpful in cleaning up background mess!
A devotee carries lime piercings on his back during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his arm pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his body pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee reacts as he gets his body pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
Devotees carry milk pots during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
Devotees carry milk pots during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee reacts after having his cheeks and tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced waits to start his procession during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his cheeks and tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee pulls a chariot with hooks on his back during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
Devotees make offerings during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee receives blessings from his family members during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced waits to start his procession during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee pulls a chariot with hooks on his back during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his cheeks and tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced waits to start his procession during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee receives blessings from his family members during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his back pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.