Thaipusam 2008 in general.

Thaipusam or Thai Poosam Kavady is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month in January or February. It commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a 'vel' (lance) so that he could vanquish the evil Demon Soomapadman.
Tourist watch in awe as metal pierces the skin with hardly any bleeding and pain. Several hundred devotees spear their cheeks with long, shiny steel rods and pierce their backs with small hooks-like needles in penance.
Generally devotees take a vow to offer a kavadi to the Lord for wishes fulfilled. They prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. On the day of the festival they will shave their heads, undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various type of devotion. The simplest is carrying a pot of milk.
(For further reference please proceed to http://nancyew251.multiply.com)