Tamil Chariot festival, Ealing, west London, young woman cheeks pierced by ornamental skewer (poss called vel), walking backwards carrying fire pit

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Tamil Chariot Festival, known as Ratha Yatra, an annual Hindu public procession and festivity organised by Shri Kanaga Thurkkai Amman Temple, Ealing, west London. This British Tamil celebration of Tamil culture attracts many onlookers. (One online report suggested it was the Eelam Tamil community) Streets locally are closed and devotees use long ropes to pull three chariots carrying deities. Many women walk backwards facing the chariots, carrying pots of milk (“paal kudam”) on their heads. Kavadis, men carrying semi circular, altar like, structures decorated with peacock feathers (structures called Kavadi) on their head, perform Kavadi dances (also known as the “burden dance”). Some men have hooks inserted into their backs. Other bare chested men roll along the road behind the chariots, another example of self-mortification.

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Size: 7050px × 4705px
Location: Uxbridge Road, Ealing, west London
Photo credit: © Mike Robinson (UK) / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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