11 Crazy Festivals You Won't Believe Actually Exist
3. Thaipusam - India
Trust me, this Hindu festival is not for the faint hearted. Celebrated every year on the full moon during the Tamil month of Thai (January to February), this event is huge in India, though it takes place anywhere there is a Tamil community Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Indonesia also hold versions of the carnival. The purpose of these gatherings is to pay tribute to Lord Subramanya, who is the universal granter of wishes. Hindus that wish to seek favour with the Lord, wish to give thanks for previous wishes that may have been granted or simply want to repent sins they may have committed will attend the revelries to make offerings. Some followers chose to walk incredibly long distances in the hope that their wishes are granted, though thats pretty tame compared to the lengths some go to show their devotion. Those who really want to make sure they are being heard will pierce themselves with skewers, pinning their lips together with metal rings to make sure of uninterrupted silence, and even shove hooks through the skin in their backs so that they can tow a makeshift chariot up the street!