Portrait of a man with pierced tongue and spikes in his skin during the Kavadis procession in Thaipusam festival of purification in Singapore, Southeast Asia, Asia

Pilgrim known as kavadi carrier is carrying container (paal kudam) of milk offerings during Hindu Thaipusam Festival from Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple to Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Close up of pilgrim in trance, a kavadi (carrier) has a needle through his tongue and is carrying the vel kavadi attached by spikes that pierce his skin, during Hindu Thaipusam Festival, carrying it from Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple up to Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Pilgrims during the Hindu Thaipusam Festival at Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple, the seated kavadi (carrier) is in a trance with a needle through his tongue, and carrying a vel kavadi, decorated with peacock feathers, attached by spikes that pierce his skin, Selangor, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Kavadis holding procession, Festival of Purification, Singapore, Asia

Men carrying kavadis and dancing, Ganesh Festival, Paris, France, Europe

Kavadis holding procession, Festival of Purification, Singapore, Asia