After a long talk with my boss and a few fellow interns, I headed out to our usual lunchspot for a South Indian meal. On our way out, we noticed a crowd gathering outside. We’re working near the main traffic intersection for the Teynampet area, which happens to be across the street from one of the larger local temples. As the procession of people began to cross the street, we realized that something unusual was happening. At the front of the procession, younger boys of maybe 12 years walking with spears pushed through their mouths. Further back in the procession, the devotees were young men pulling small shrines, towed by ropes attached by hooks through the skin of their backs. Then men were pulling autorickshaws in the same manner – then 2 autos, then a minivan, then a small flatbed with idols of the gods being celebrated. Far back in the stream were men walking on shoes that had beds of nails.
Men emulating peacocks
Boy pulling shrine through hooks in his back, with spear through his mouth and limes hooked into his chest
Pulling two autorickshaws, with shrine on top!
Shoes with bed of nails
Apparently, they were doing penance as we approach the end of the month Aadi – an inauspicious month in the Tamil calendar. These kinds of penance are done to appease the gods.
A crazy site on the way back to office after lunch!
No comments:
Post a Comment