A devotee walks up the 272 steps to the entrance of the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

Devotees chant and pray before taking part in the Thaipusam procession in Singapore

A man throws flowers over Kavadi's during preparations prior to the start of the Thaipusam procession.

A devotee has his body pierced with hooks before taking part in the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 7, 2012 in Singapore.

A devotee pulls his procession burden connected by hooks pierced in his back during the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

A devotee runs through his ritual before taking part in the Thaipusam procession

Women carry milk pots on their heads as they start their Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Singapore.

A woman has her cheeks and tongue pierced before taking part in the Thaipusam procession

A devotee froths at the mouth while in a trance-like state after completing his Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

A young man has hooks pierced into his back during preparations prior to the start of the Thaipusam procession

A group of men chant and pray prior to taking part in the Thaipusam procession.

A devotee has his cheeks pierced prior to taking part in the Thaipusam procession

Devotees pass on blessing inside the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

People watch on as a devotee has his back pierced with large hooks before taking part in the Thaipusam procession.

Men prepare to take part in the Thaipusam procession.

A devotee has his body pierced with hooks prior to the start of the Thaipusam procession

A devotees body is pierced and decorated prior to taking part in the Thaipusam procession

Thousands of devotees pack the Batu Caves at the end of their Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

Devotees pray and give offerings prior to taking part in the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.

A devotee has his body pierced with hooks before taking part in the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

A devotee waits to take part in the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

A woman prays before taking part in the Thaipusam procession

Devotees carrying heavy pots of milk make their way through the entrance of the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

A devotee lays on the ground after passing out inside the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

A devotee whips himself with a rope inside the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

A devotee pulls his procession burden connected by hooks pierced in his back during the Thaipusam procession at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Hindu devotees make their way up the 272 steps to the entrance of the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.

A man looks up at the inside of the Batu Caves during the Thaipusam procession on January 27, 2013 in Batu Caves, Malaysia.