An ethnic Tamil man with a skewer through his ear and lip, a form of mortification of the flesh undertaken after a long fasting and prayer as part of the annual Thaipusam festival. The Tamil Hindu festival commemorates the birth of Hindu Lord Murugan and his triumph over evil. Pilgrims engage in various acts of devotion such as carrying burdens, flagellation and body piercing as they take part in a 15-kilometre procession to the Batu Caves. .