13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Praying with the Body Plugs

Tamil Hindu Indonesian man piercing the body with hooks and skewers as an offer prayers during Maha Puja celebrations Pangguni Uthiram in Shri Maha Murugen Temple, in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia on Sunday, March 22, 2015. Celebrations are held regularly every year is the month of greatness for Tamil Hindus believed to be the right day to remember the greatness of Lord Murugen or Muruga. Tamil Hindu descent celebrate this ritual, which is also used as a release ceremony vows as a form of gratitude to the creator and the hope of Indonesia to avoid distress to give up his body pierced with hooks and skewers.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2015
Date Uploaded: 10.2015
Photo Location: Medan, Indonesia
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Copyright: © Albert Ivan Damanik