Photos by Yamin Oo
The Hindu festival “Stepping on the Knife” was held in Rangoon on 23 March.
Devotees paraded through the streets of Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township carrying huge colourful constructions that pierced their bodies with metal spikes.
In a trance-like state, devotees impaled themselves with metal spikes to show that the gods have given them supernatural powers.
During the festival, people pray to the Hindu gods for health and wealth.
The highlight of the festival is when the temple leader climbs to the top of a ladder made of knives and makes an offering by tying branches to the highest point of the ladder.
It takes him three months to prepare for the climb and during this time he meditates and eats only vegetables.
Hindu people believe that if the temple head gives them a lime, they will become wealthy.
