Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community
on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb) On the day of the festival,
devotees undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts
of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest
this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing
the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common.