The Indian Hindu community in Singapore celebrates Thaipusam which commemorates the birthdays of Lord Murugam and his sons Shiva and Parvati. This happens on January 22nd (a full moon day) and the hindus generally take a vow to carry a kavadi to the Lord for tiding over or avertingb a calamity.
Devotees fast and cleanse themselves and on the day of the festival will undertake the pilgrimage by carrying simplest, a pot on their head and toughest by carrying the vel kavadi, a full blown 5 feet altar will peacock feathers and of course images and symbols and they also will pierce their cheeks and tongue.
In Singapore the pilgrimage will be from the Perumal Temple in Serangoon to the Tank Road Temple.