Festival honouring Lord Muruga at Mumbai

The Thaipoosam is a festival that honours Lord Murugan (or Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati) receiving a lance to destroy the evil army of Tarakasura.  Featured here is a festival procession held at Mumbai. The main attraction of this festival is the procession done by the devotees.

Many devotees following a 48 days fast pierce their bodies with hooks, some try to pulling tractors or other heavy objects with the hooks in their skin; others pierce their tongue and cheek to attain full concentration on their devotion to Lord. The precession is followed with pierce drumming and chanting.