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Metal Spears Through Cheek, Hooks On Back: Bizarre Scenes From Panguni Uthiram Processions

People across India celebrated 'Panguni Uthiram', a Tamil Hindu festival on Wednesday. The Panguni Uthiram festival is marked on the Purnima of the month of Panguni. Bizarre scenes of devotees piercing cheeks with metal spears, pulling car with hooks pierced in back were seen at religious processions of Panguni Uthiram festival.

Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

A devotee dressed as Lord Shiva at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

Indian Tamil Hindu devotees take part in a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai. Devotees perform acts of self- affliction to seek blessings of Hindu god Murugan.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

An Indian Tamil Hindu devotee, cheeks pierced with a metal spear, participates in a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

A Tamil Hindu devotees pulls a car with hooks pierced in his back at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

The cheeks of a Indian Tamil Hindu devotee is pierced with a metal spear at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

The back of a Indian Tamil Hindu devotee is pierced with a metal hooks at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

An Indian Tamil Hindu devotee, cheeks pierced with a metal spear, participates in a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

An Indian Tamil Hindu devotee drinks water at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

The cheeks of a Indian Tamil Hindu devotee is pierced with a metal spear at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool

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Panguni Uthiram Festival
Panguni Uthiram Festival Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

Tamil Hindu devotees hang on a crane through metal hooks pierced into their back and legs at a religious procession marking "Panguni Uthiram" festival in Mumbai.