PILGRIMS NEAR TEMPLE; BATHING IN RIVER; MAN HANGS BY HOOKS INSERTED IN BACK; OTHERS UNDERGOING PAINFUL RITUALS; PILGRIMS TRY AND OFFER FOOD IN TEMPLE.




Initials DHC/VS/JF/SM



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Background: THOUSANDS OF HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS FROM CEYLON AND SOUTH INDIA JOURNEYED TO THE HOLY CITY OF KATARAGAMA, IN CEYLON, FOR THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF PENANCE DURING THE WEEKEND. THE PILGRIMS WORK OUT THEIR PENANCE IN EXACTING AND SOMETIMES GRUESOME WAYS.

ON ARRIVAL IN KATARAGAMA THE PILGRIMS BATHE IN THE "RIVER OF GEMS," LEADING TO THE TINY SHRINE OF LORD KATARAGAMA.

MANY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN PIERCE THEIR BODIES WITH TINY SILVER NEEDLES. ONE MAN SUSPENDED HIMSELF FROM ROPES ATTACHED TO HOOKS INSERTED IN THE SKIN IN HIS BACK. OTHERS ROLLED BARE-SKINNED IN HOT SAND.

THE PILGRIMS PERFORMED AN DANCE CALLED THE "KAVADI", CARRYING A CIRCULAR FRAME ROUND THE TEMPLE. AND PENITENTS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD PRAYERS ANSWERED DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR OFFER FOOD, CLOTHES AND POSSESSIONS.

THE FESTIVAL LASTS TWO DAYS.