Sunday, February 8, 2009

Thaipusam







At about 11:30 Analia was woken up by some seriously loud horns and drums. We live right next to the temple where the Thaipusam walkers start. I think they also do the fire walking there! Any way it sounded like you were in Africa with all the screaming and music. This went on ALL NIGHT and continued throughout Sunday. Thaipusam is a chance for Hindus to offer to a specific god. They believe he will help them have success. To do this they can do something as simple as carry a basket of flowers to as extreme as carrying a kavadi. These kavadi are extremely heavy. They walk 3 Km here in Singapore from temple to temple. The kavadi also often involve body piercings. Sometimes what is holding it up is their skin! To bear this pain many of these men are in a trance. They are helped along by their families walking with them. Other offerings include being whipped, walking wearing shoes with nails, and putting a spear through your mouth/cheeks!

There really is an oppressive spiritual atmosphere here. Satan is really pleased with what these men are doing! Pray for us as we pray for them!

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