Montreal, Canada, November 10, 2016. The local neighborhood of Montreal West, in Canada has remembered those fallen in the Second World War by placing portraits of former soldiers near the homes they used to live in. Credit: Cristian Mijea/Alamy Live News


Hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered in Val-Morin, Quebec, for the Kaavadi festival, an annual celebration of Lord Subramanya (or Muruga), the Hindu god of war. Val-Morin is home to The Subramanya Ayyappa Temple, a traditional South Indian Temple, attracting thousands of devotees from all North America throughout the year. For the Kaavadi celebration, god Subramanya is taken out of the temple and placed on a big chariot pulled by devotees. The procession lasts for a hours and has people dancing and celebrating on the streets of Val-Morin. Several devotees are suspended by hooks and needles piercing their skin as a way o penance and transcendence. Other devotees carry kaavadis (arches adorned with peacock feathers) on their shoulders, as it is believed that they are great conductors of spiritual energy. Val-Morin has been home to this festival for more than 25 years.


Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Val-Morin, QC, Canada
Photo credit: © Cristian Mijea / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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