Cavadee, the holiday that takes place today, is very interesting! For the past ten days, followers of this religion have practiced fasting, abstinence, meditation, and prayer. On this last day, today, they begin a long and grueling procession. They pierce their bodies with needles and hooks, carry flower-decorated and heavy wooden structures holding pots containing milk, and walk barefoot on the hot pavement while on a pilgrimage. Starting at their temples, they walk as a group to the nearest source of water, where they bathe to cleanse themselves. They then return to the temple and pour milk over a statue of "Lord Muruga". I can't imagine walking barefoot on hot roads!
