A child kaavadi dancer blesses his fellow dancer

Kaavadi dancers dance for the devotional songs played by the "Thavil" and "Nathaswaram" artistes

Metal hooks are pierced through the skin of the devotees, and tied to rope

A female kaavadi dancer at the chariot festival

"Thookku Kaavadi"- two male devotees hang on hooks to fulfill their vows. They were on hooks for fifteen hours

Suman Saththiyaseelan (25) takes "Thookku Kaavadi" annually on day of the chariot festival of Mayurapathy Sri Paththirakaali Amman temple.

A "Thookku Kaavadi" devotee carries a month old baby and blesses her

"We want to continue to take Kaavadi in the future as well" say child Kaavadi dancers

An elder relative of a "Thooku Kaavadi" devotee blesses him with "Manjal Thanni" (saffron water). Saffron is considered holy in Hinduism

A devotee is hanging on hooks

A "Thookku Kaavadi" devotee is blessing another devotee

The "Thooku Kavadi" devotees say that hanging on hooks is not painful, because it's a vow made for the Goddess, and she will remove all their pain

A "Thookku Kaavadi" devotee is being worshipped by an elder devotee

The experts who pierce the skin and put the metal hooks say that, "Thooku Kaavadi" devotees are constantly pushed by another person. Because if they just hang at one point, it will be painful for them"

Other devotees say that, the "Thookku Kaavadi" devotees are sacrificial