Bold and beautiful
Photos by Guy Henshilwood

You'll be forgiven if you think this takes place in India. Thaipusam, celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January), takes place not only in India, but also in Southeast Asia and Mauritius.

Guy Heshilwood did this reportage over a period of several months, covering two events at Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia. He shaved his hair during the first event.

Devotees carry the kavadi (piercing and all) to pray to the god Shanmuga. Unlike the Catholic or Shiite self-flaggelation, this type of expressing is not born out of guilt or grief, but born out of love, and also as a way of showing gratitude.

Guy Henshilwood is a producer for Al Jazeera Kuala Lumpur

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