Well, two friends and I were there from 12-2am this morning to watch the initial prayer preparations, bathings and body piercings at Sri Srivanam Temple.
The air was filled with heady incense and at one stage my eyes were streaming. Most groups of people were sitting in circles surrounded by offerings, altar shrines and vessels, needle paraphanalia offering support to the persons about to be pierced. Chanting started off slow, with tambourines and clapping, reaching a crescendo when the men and women who were about to be pierced.
After prayers most devotees had people whispering to them whilst a second person pierced their arms, backs, chest, forehead, cheeks and tongue. Not all persons had the above done! Some had lemons and limes attached in a looped arrangement on chest and back and most carried an 'altar shrine'. A few wifes could not bear to watch their men being pierced, but all commenced the walk alongside showing their encouragement and devotion.
We were warmly welcomed, often space would be made for us to take a pic or two. One follower came up to us and creased our foreheads with white ash - for success!
Lots of people were very helpful in explaining simply the colour of the clothes, and meanings of some of the chantings.
It was a moving experience, a few of the men were overcome with tears, not with pain but devotion for what they believed. None seemed to flinch at all with the pain!
I can still smell the incense, it will long be an amazing memory for my friends and I. We felt honoured to be included amongst these people and to be part of Thaipussam.
