The Flickr Poosam Image Generatr

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This page simply reformats the Flickr public Atom feed for purposes of finding inspiration through random exploration. These images are not being copied or stored in any way by this website, nor are any links to them or any metadata about them. All images are © their owners unless otherwise specified.

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Piercing the Pain Barrier by Anoop Negi

© Anoop Negi, all rights reserved.

Piercing the Pain Barrier

Kavady is a term used in Sanskrit for a harness on ones shoulder used for balancing a load. In its modern day usage it is more a religious assignment of balancing ones life or commitment to the principles of goodness.

You may have heard of Thai Poosam which has enough visual mind space on exotic and arcane rites of the Hindus as believers. Most of it now a days originates from Malaysia and South Africa where there are significant numbers of Tamil Hindu populations who settled down there centuries ago.


I witnessed one deep religious and serious Kaavady ceremony in Trivandrum in Kerala in March 2008. I drove down from Cochin early in the morning for the shoot.

We have a seasoned and middle aged Penitent here who may have perhaps gone through piercing many a times before. Here he carries a metal frame adorned with spears and he sports a few on his face and body. It is perhaps the back which is full of metal hooks piercing the skin.

Doctor Robin and I were there to shoot and it was solemn and a serious affair and the belief unbelievable. For the first time in my life I saw no smiling faces of piety. The faces were all half in trance and wore expressions of solemn seriousness that was unnerving at most times. The reason for that was evident in a rather short while.


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13377 - Mylai float festival "explore" by chandrasekaran a 90 lakhs views . Thanks to all.

13377 - Mylai  float festival   "explore"

மயிலைத் தெப்பத் திருவிழா
Float Festival (Theppam) of Kapaleeswarar Temple(கபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில்)
is an important festival in Chennai and celebrated as a part of Thai poosam ( during Jan-Feb) celebrations. It is usually conducted on the full moon in Mylapore tank just in front of western Gopuram. On the first day, Lord Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal will be taken around. On the second and third day, it is Singaravelan and his consorts . During this time Gopuram will be illuminated with colourful lights, a treat to the eyes.


Mylapore Kapaleeswarar temple is one of Thirumurai temples and Great Nayanmar/saint Thirugnana Sambandhar (6th century) visited this place and brought back Poompavai alive from the ashes. Sambandhar sings: “O Poompavai why did you leave without seeing the Thai Poosam festival of Mylai?.”

மைப்பூசும் ஒண்கண் மடநல்லார் மாமயிலைக்
கைப்பூசு நீற்றான் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்
நெய்ப்பூசு மொண்புழுக்கல் நேரிழையார் கொண்டாடுந்
தைப்பூசங் காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய்

We learn from Sambandhar's Thevaram the festivals that were celebrated during 6th century

Hanging There by the Skin of their Burden by Anoop Negi

© Anoop Negi, all rights reserved.

Hanging There by the Skin of their Burden

In the south of India and in countries like Malyasia and Singapore where large populations of Tamil Indians reside you see it celebrated with great show and is also known as "Thai Poosam"

Thai being a month of January/Febrauary in the local calendar and poosam referring to the star at its zenith. The mythology for the festival is complex and if you are interested For more on Thai Poosam and Kaavady

Roads in India are a microcosm of culture and life.Here we have 4 penitents hanging on hooks that are pierced in their bodies. It is show boating and a declaration of faith and penitence to show the victory of Lord Murugan.
It is a dangerous business for sure with traffic flowing on the road and life going on as usual.


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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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Sushmita Poosam by sushmita.poosam

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Sushmita Poosam

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