Devotees get extreme piercings, hang from hooks to honor Hindu God of War

Worshippers gathered in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo on Sunday, to take part in a ritual honoring Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of War. Not an event for the squeamish, the ritual saw devotees undertake extreme body piercings, which they used to hang from hooks, as an act of devotion and penance. Many participants claim they don’t feel any pain during the ritual, thanks to fasting and other religious practices undertaken in preparation.

Dating back to 1874, the ritual celebrates Lord Murugan’s triumph over evil, and attracts pilgrims from across Sri Lanka, hoping for blessings.