Devotes with pierced bodies attending the Thaimpusam festival celebrated at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Every year this Hindu festival celebrates that goddess Parvati gave Murugan, the god of War, a spear to defeat demon Soorapadman. During the festival crowds of devotees visit the Batu caves to pray and perform various acts of devotion, from carrying a pot of milk as an offering to the god to piercing their skin and flesh with hooks and small or large spears. Around one million people visit the caves during the festival