A Hindu devotee wearing a pendant of Lord Murugan waits as assistants pierce his body with skewers to wear a kavadi, during the Thaipusam festival in Singapore January 20, 2011.Thaipusam is a Hindu festival observed on the day of the full moon during the Tamil calendar month of Thai, and celebrated in honour of the Hindu god Lord Murugan. The kavadi is a physical burden carried by the devotee during their worship of Lord Murugan and it symbolises a call for help and also a show of gratitude for blessings received from the god. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: RELIGION ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY)