Thaipusam - Mortification of the flesh as penance

Happy Thaipusam to all Hindus.  I happened to be in Little India for breakfast when I saw the colourful Thaipusam procession.  I will let my photos do the talking.  Notice that there are people of all races in the procession.  There is an air of festivity, a lot of drum beats, music, singing and dancing.  Although the body-piercing procession can be quite frightening to the uninitiated, the mood of this festival of Lord Murugan's triumph over the evil demon Soorapadman is joyous and upbeat and not at all mournful.