Thaipusam 2002 Photos

Simon · 28th January 2002

Canon EOS D30 70-200L f/2.8 @ f/5.6

The most dramatic Indian festival is Thaipusam. Devotees go through a strict and careful spirittual preparation before embarking on a ritual journey of penitential selfmutilation. They pierce their bodies with metal hooks supporting heavy structures called kavadis decorated with peacock feathers and offerings.

In their tranced state, not a drop of blood is shed as they process from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road.

Simon · 28th January 2002

Simon · 28th January 2002

Simon · 28th January 2002

Simon · 28th January 2002

Singapore has a substantial Hindu community. About 6% of the 3 million people in Singapore are Hindu.

The Hindu people are intense about their religion, and take some extraordinary measures to display their devotion.

A good example is the Thaipusam festival.

Thaipusam is the feast for the son of Shiva, Lord Subramaniam. It's celebrated annually, in January or February. In 2002, Thaipusam fell on January 28th.

Lord Subramaniam is the universal granter of wishes.
All those who wish to ask for a future favor, fulfill a vow in return for a granted favor, or to repent for past sins will participate in this festival (basically, all Hindus fall in one of these groups).

mpenza · 28th January 2002

great pics!

really a bit scary to see some of them.... you might want to put R(A) or parental guidance

but.... they took too long to load even for a broadband connection. time to increase the level of compression.... should strive to make each pic under 100KB in size....

megaweb · 28th January 2002

too nice and the pic look scary ... good post and let us see the shots !!

ziploc · 28th January 2002

Very nice

willyfoo · 28th January 2002

Hey simon, what time were u there??
I was at little india at about 2-4pm... 4pm onwards I was at the last temple..
Got to go thru my shots... post later..

This shot of yours gives me the creeps... but excellent shot..

Simon · 29th January 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by willyfoo
Hey simon, what time were u there??
I was at little india at about 2-4pm... 4pm onwards I was at the last temple..
Got to go thru my shots... post later..

I was there with Ricahrd at 6am.

vincent · 29th January 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Simon

I was there with Ricahrd at 6am.

Aiyo, never call me!!! :P

I went there alone at 6pm... GOSH... so scary!!! I think I just happened to be at the wrong place... they were removing some hook and BIG needle from this man...

At 6:03pm, I left without even taking out my camera.

willyfoo · 29th January 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by vincent

Aiyo, never call me!!! :P

I went there alone at 6pm... GOSH... so scary!!! I think I just happened to be at the wrong place... they were removing some hook and BIG needle from this man...

At 6:03pm, I left without even taking out my camera.

Yes.. some parts are really squirmish.. that's why I tried to take photos that brings out the other aspects of thaipusam...
http://forum.clubsnap.org/showthread...=&threadid=835

StreetShooter · 29th January 2002

Simon - very well done. A photojournalistic series that captures what Thaipusam is all about.

PS Was there no firewalking? That would have made some dramatic pictures!

Richard · 29th January 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by StreetShooter
Simon - very well done. A photojournalistic series that captures what Thaipusam is all about.

PS Was there no firewalking? That would have made some dramatic pictures!

Firewalking is not part of Thaipusam. It's another totally different festival. Thimithi (Spelling) is what it's called, I believe.

StreetShooter · 29th January 2002

Ah so. Solly hor!

sbs99 · 29th January 2002

Nice shots!

29th January 2002

Great Shots Simon!!! Really like the colors

DieHarder · 29th January 2002

very nice.
dun mind tell me what camera & lens you use?

copland · 29th January 2002

nice essay also.

Simon · 30th January 2002

28th January 2002	#1
Simon ClubSNAP Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ClubSNAP Town Posts: 1,794	Thaipusam 2002 Photos Canon EOS D30 70-200L f/2.8 @ f/5.6 The most dramatic Indian festival is Thaipusam. Devotees go through a strict and careful spirittual preparation before embarking on a ritual journey of penitential selfmutilation. They pierce their bodies with metal hooks supporting heavy structures called kavadis decorated with peacock feathers and offerings. In their tranced state, not a drop of blood is shed as they process from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road.

28th January 2002	#6
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	great pics! really a bit scary to see some of them.... you might want to put R(A) or parental guidance but.... they took too long to load even for a broadband connection. time to increase the level of compression.... should strive to make each pic under 100KB in size.... Last edited by mpenza; 28th January 2002 at 11:31 PM.

28th January 2002	#7
megaweb Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 8,106	too nice and the pic look scary ... good post and let us see the shots !! __________________ See my Photo Gallery at the Clubsnap \| Pbase

29th January 2002	#16
sbs99 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,823	Nice shots! __________________ \| Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos \|

30th January 2002	#20
Simon ClubSNAP Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ClubSNAP Town Posts: 1,794	How it is Done.

28th January 2002	#8
ziploc Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Snoopyland Posts: 3,185	Very nice

28th January 2002	#9
willyfoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Posts: 2,085	Hey simon, what time were u there?? I was at little india at about 2-4pm... 4pm onwards I was at the last temple.. Got to go thru my shots... post later.. This shot of yours gives me the creeps... but excellent shot..

29th January 2002	#13
StreetShooter Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Katong Posts: 4,702	Simon - very well done. A photojournalistic series that captures what Thaipusam is all about. PS Was there no firewalking? That would have made some dramatic pictures!

29th January 2002	#17
Ice Guests Posts: n/a	Great Shots Simon!!! Really like the colors

29th January 2002	#18
DieHarder Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 149	very nice. dun mind tell me what camera & lens you use?

29th January 2002	#19
copland Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 420	nice essay also.