Statue of Hindu deity with pilgrims walking 272 steps up to Batu Caves during Hindu Thaipusam Festival, Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Pilgrims throwing offerings into holy fire during the Hindu Thaipusam Festival at Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, 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

Pilgrim in trance during the Hindu Thaipusam Festival during walk from Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple up 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

Pilgrim in trance during the Hindu Thaipusam Festival supported by friends during walk from Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple up to Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia