Hundreds of thousands of Hindus flocked to temples across Malaysia to celebrate the Thaipusam festival Tuesday, with many piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers in acts of devotion. Some worshippers pierce themselves with skewers or hang hooks and chains from their bodies in acts of penance.

For the festival of the god Murugan, symbolising the victory of good over evil, the faithful fast from food and drink. Among the practices is that of pricking oneself with metal hooks and spikes.

Hundreds of thousands of Hindus flocked to temples across Malaysia to celebrate the Thaipusam festival on Tuesday, with many piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers in acts of devotion. Thaipusam is marked with particular zest in multicultural Malaysia,

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – As the Hindu Thaipusam festival draws millions of devotees to Malaysia's Batu Caves on Tuesday, families and friends not only gather for ritual prayers but a celebration of their strong bonds and vibrant traditions anchored in their shared faith.