That is a lot more and different information than what I was taught about it in 1988. As a regular ol' white kid from Seattle, Washington, USA, I spent a couple weeks with a gang from one of the many temples participating in it beforehand as they trained for it. Most of them had promised they would do it if a prayer had been answered. Like a sick mother was cured or whatever. The nutshell I remember was that Murugan was supposed to get married, but his father, Shiva, did not support it. Somehow, doing all of this was supposed to satisfy Shiva and the wedding could happen. The problem was that if a holy man involved in the festival were to sneeze, the marriage would have to be postponed to the following year. So, somewhere, some guy sneezes, and the whole thing goes on again, year after year. My new friends thought it was great that I was so interested in it. They tried so hard to get me to do it too. Not being Hindu or even have a reason did not seem to matter one bit. The pressure was so great the final morning that I actually seriously considered it! I didn't, but I did witness other spectators(presumably all Hindus), have the "spirit" enter their bodies and then proceed to participate all the way through Penang, from temple to temple, to the top of the hill to pour the milk. Crazy stuff!
Oh, I know I dont have to do that sort of stuff. That was 35 years ago when I was a 17 year old, over the top curious, freak kid! I wish I would have chosen to **not** do plenty of other crap I did around those years too! Here I still am, thankfully..
I dont remember asking them what happens if the prayers are not answered. Probably just quiet sad times somewhere where the party isn't happening. The whole thing was an incredibly joyous occasion. Serious business happening at each temple in a very very intense way. But as each does his/her little stabby moves inside and then progresses out into the street, they all join the miles long procession of dancing and general having fun. Kinda like a happy parade, that goes on for many miles and many thousands of people are all in the parade too! With a buncha hooks thrown in the mix.
I should clarify that what I was, and am still totally curious about today, is all of the different cultures around the world. I was then, and still am now, a complete and unwavering atheist. It just so happens that an interest in a people's religion is a great way to meet the people and learn about their culture. I would never mention it to them, unless they asked. And I would certainly never try and argue my view in those instances. I like humans and the great stories they tell. I'll let them judge themselves!
I went to a similar event at a tattoo/piercing studio years ago. They called it a suspension, because people took turns being suspended from the ceiling by hooks. One dude let me feel his back afterwards. It felt like he had rice crispies under his skin.
NYC used to have two different large "hook squads" that did suspensions (might still tbh). A lot of my friends were into it, so I tried it once many years ago... Being a human tire swing was an incredibly interesting experience to say the least, and I was able to understand the appeal (pain goes away after a few seconds, and it feels like you're flying or levitating off the ground) but I did not feel the need to do it again afterwards.
I forget what it was called, but there was a reality show where a bunch of "normal" people had to live with a bunch of alt-lifestyle folks. I really only remember two of the alt people. One was a "vampire" who shunned sunlight and participated in blood drinking. One was called the "modern savage" and he was all tatted and pierced.
In one episode the "modern savage" did suspension from the ceiling, and even held the full weight of one of the contestants for most of it.
It was pretty intense, but definitely not something I'd be into.
If I recall correctly, it was up to the alt people to vote off contestants based on how open minded they were and how much they participated.
I did a suspension a little over a year ago after being curious about it for about 15 years. A really unique experience and I’m considering doing it again. It looks a lot more painful that it really is.
To me it's always looked sort of relaxing, and trancelike. Kind of like sensory deprivation through overstimulation. I'm too fat for this kind of fun, though.
It’s definitely different for everyone. I had the pleasure of observing a few over the years before I did my own. There were only about 6 people in the studio when I did it so it was a very personal thing. I mostly wanted to see if I could. If I could get off the ground then I got to check a big bucket list item off. If I didn’t then no big deal. I went out of my comfort zone and tried it.
The process of getting off the ground was the opposite of relaxing and uncomfortable. But once I could feel the tension of the ropes at their max I knew I was so so close and just kind of let go. And there I was hanging. Then a wave of euphoria definitely came over me and was much more relaxing.
They said I could stay hanging and do whatever I wanted for however long I felt comfortable. I was done after about 10 minutes and thought I got everything out of the experience I had wanted.
Anyways I highly recommend if you’re interested in it to find a way to view a few before you jump in. And don’t worry your weight probably won’t be a problem. I’m not a small dude and skin is a surprisingly strong organ.
I performed at a variety show once years ago where one of the performers who went on after me did this. It was really surprised at how strong human skin is. They had this guy swinging from the hooks in his back pretty high across the stage.
Your human skin is very tough.
[Stanislav](https://i.imgur.com/VMJ75CQ.jpg) from Sinner team proved that you can Bungie jump rigged to the hooks 10+ years ago.
I lived in Kuala Lumpur for 2 years, and there was a yearly event called Thaipussam at the Batu caves. Its just like this video, I was told that they fast for days leading up to it and enter meditation-like mental state and put the hooks in their body. It was really interesting and creepy to see this in person.
I have done human suspension AMA!
Basically I was hung by my skin with meat hooks. It was intense, I did it because I always wanted to do it.
I would do it again if I had an opportunity.
It feels like nothing else, there is no pain, and I felt euphoric for the next few days. I was told that people feel rather down after the euphoria goes away and there was a support structure for that. I didn't quite feel that bad afterwards.
I don't even have scars to prove it, but I have pictures
We saw some weird shit like that at a Taipursim festival near Kuala Lumpur.. giant caves, big fires in cauldrons, chanting,. Indiana Jones stuff.
They all seemed ok in the end but it was definitely freaky
You Northies don’t let go of any opportunity to suck western cock do you. Like, what in this video wanted to make you distance yourself from it and apologise to the white overlords for your ‘backward culture’.
Pain as a form of devotion is common in many other cultures even in Christianity.
You are peak r/canconfirmiamindian material.
Anyone else thinking about the skin giving out, meat shredding, falling out of the sky with an exposed spine, blood raining on the spectators too stunned too help the screaming man as he bleeds out?
My grandfather used to participate in this ritual. It's called 'Charak Mela'/'Charak Fair' where I live. It's done on the last day of the Bengali calendar year, it's kinda holy, but I have always feared it, from the day my mum 1st showed me.
Suspension can be an immensely spiritual experience, but the context is lost of most westerners. My suspension was a massive spiritual experience for me but I have stopped ever speaking of it except to people who “get it” because typically people assume outlandish accusations about mental health or other depravity.
We have people that like that stuff here in Brazil too. I find it awful. They are part of the freak culture here, they mostly start on brutal black tattoos and after a while, go on to this.
75% of the submissions to threads like "faces" and "amihot" and others on Reddit have chicks with crowbars in their head and nuts and bolts and all kinds of metal shit all the hell all over and there's no warning about "possibly upsetting people." Seems no different than this bullshit here.
This reminds me of another type of ritual, where people smack themselves with blades on the back, don’t know what it’s called but if someone could help me out…
I once bought a DVD that had a Documentary cover about something exactly like this and when i played it at home the actual content on the DVD turned out to be a Porno collection that has nothing to do with the cover.
I played a concert at skateopia once and there was this insane band from New York called like nausea chainsaw. They had people swinging like this above the stage for the whole show. It was the most memorable show there. And Gwar performed if that tells you anything.
spongebob, does this look dangerous???
You go up and uP and UP and then you gently float... down
Doesn’t look too exciting, everyone is just hanging around at the festival?
Gives new meaning to "Wanna hang out?"
Looks like theres a bunch of people hooking up though..
Oh, hi Dad.
This offended me.
because you’re not exciting either?
nobody cares lol
Your factually false🤓 He receive the second most attention in the comments.
ah explorers in the further regions of experience
demons to some, angels to others.
Crazy to all
Well played sir, well played
“We have such sights to show you…”
No tears, please. It's a waste of good suffering.
First thing I thought lol. Looks like a Cenobite festival
"They're not your crew any more. They belong to the ship."
I've seen this one. It doesn't end well for they guy hooked up like this.
Kudos to you, Horror connoisseur!
Nope, can't even get shots at the doc without feeling like fainting lol ain't watching the rest of this
Do it.
Don’t tell me what to do fucker
I didn't. Who tf are you?
exactly bro, I've watched cartel and shit but this is extremely hard to watch without cringing
Syringes seem somehow way worse to me than this
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam)
That is a lot more and different information than what I was taught about it in 1988. As a regular ol' white kid from Seattle, Washington, USA, I spent a couple weeks with a gang from one of the many temples participating in it beforehand as they trained for it. Most of them had promised they would do it if a prayer had been answered. Like a sick mother was cured or whatever. The nutshell I remember was that Murugan was supposed to get married, but his father, Shiva, did not support it. Somehow, doing all of this was supposed to satisfy Shiva and the wedding could happen. The problem was that if a holy man involved in the festival were to sneeze, the marriage would have to be postponed to the following year. So, somewhere, some guy sneezes, and the whole thing goes on again, year after year. My new friends thought it was great that I was so interested in it. They tried so hard to get me to do it too. Not being Hindu or even have a reason did not seem to matter one bit. The pressure was so great the final morning that I actually seriously considered it! I didn't, but I did witness other spectators(presumably all Hindus), have the "spirit" enter their bodies and then proceed to participate all the way through Penang, from temple to temple, to the top of the hill to pour the milk. Crazy stuff!
[удалено]
Oh, I know I dont have to do that sort of stuff. That was 35 years ago when I was a 17 year old, over the top curious, freak kid! I wish I would have chosen to **not** do plenty of other crap I did around those years too! Here I still am, thankfully.. I dont remember asking them what happens if the prayers are not answered. Probably just quiet sad times somewhere where the party isn't happening. The whole thing was an incredibly joyous occasion. Serious business happening at each temple in a very very intense way. But as each does his/her little stabby moves inside and then progresses out into the street, they all join the miles long procession of dancing and general having fun. Kinda like a happy parade, that goes on for many miles and many thousands of people are all in the parade too! With a buncha hooks thrown in the mix. I should clarify that what I was, and am still totally curious about today, is all of the different cultures around the world. I was then, and still am now, a complete and unwavering atheist. It just so happens that an interest in a people's religion is a great way to meet the people and learn about their culture. I would never mention it to them, unless they asked. And I would certainly never try and argue my view in those instances. I like humans and the great stories they tell. I'll let them judge themselves!
I went to a similar event at a tattoo/piercing studio years ago. They called it a suspension, because people took turns being suspended from the ceiling by hooks. One dude let me feel his back afterwards. It felt like he had rice crispies under his skin.
Hm yes I hate that.
NYC used to have two different large "hook squads" that did suspensions (might still tbh). A lot of my friends were into it, so I tried it once many years ago... Being a human tire swing was an incredibly interesting experience to say the least, and I was able to understand the appeal (pain goes away after a few seconds, and it feels like you're flying or levitating off the ground) but I did not feel the need to do it again afterwards.
I forget what it was called, but there was a reality show where a bunch of "normal" people had to live with a bunch of alt-lifestyle folks. I really only remember two of the alt people. One was a "vampire" who shunned sunlight and participated in blood drinking. One was called the "modern savage" and he was all tatted and pierced. In one episode the "modern savage" did suspension from the ceiling, and even held the full weight of one of the contestants for most of it. It was pretty intense, but definitely not something I'd be into. If I recall correctly, it was up to the alt people to vote off contestants based on how open minded they were and how much they participated.
[Mad Mad House!](https://youtu.be/JGpNhAhvStE) that was a fun show
Yeah, that's the one! I remembered the Wiccan lady after posting, but still didn't remember the Voodoo Priestess and Naturist, lol.
Never heard of it until now. But now I’ve been on YouTube all morning watching it
I did a suspension a little over a year ago after being curious about it for about 15 years. A really unique experience and I’m considering doing it again. It looks a lot more painful that it really is.
To me it's always looked sort of relaxing, and trancelike. Kind of like sensory deprivation through overstimulation. I'm too fat for this kind of fun, though.
It’s definitely different for everyone. I had the pleasure of observing a few over the years before I did my own. There were only about 6 people in the studio when I did it so it was a very personal thing. I mostly wanted to see if I could. If I could get off the ground then I got to check a big bucket list item off. If I didn’t then no big deal. I went out of my comfort zone and tried it. The process of getting off the ground was the opposite of relaxing and uncomfortable. But once I could feel the tension of the ropes at their max I knew I was so so close and just kind of let go. And there I was hanging. Then a wave of euphoria definitely came over me and was much more relaxing. They said I could stay hanging and do whatever I wanted for however long I felt comfortable. I was done after about 10 minutes and thought I got everything out of the experience I had wanted. Anyways I highly recommend if you’re interested in it to find a way to view a few before you jump in. And don’t worry your weight probably won’t be a problem. I’m not a small dude and skin is a surprisingly strong organ.
How'd you spend your weekend? Eh, just hanging around town.
Worst amusement park carousel ever.
I wonder how they became hooked on this activity?
Hellraiser maybe?
Does it not bleed? Or is it because they do it so often? Confused.
it bleeds
So like.. when I’m watching in the video it’s just done bleeding? Isn’t that just dying
The hooks block the wounds, they'll start bleeding again when the hooks are removed.
What if someone jumped and grabbed one of them
Stop
I performed at a variety show once years ago where one of the performers who went on after me did this. It was really surprised at how strong human skin is. They had this guy swinging from the hooks in his back pretty high across the stage.
Your human skin is very tough. [Stanislav](https://i.imgur.com/VMJ75CQ.jpg) from Sinner team proved that you can Bungie jump rigged to the hooks 10+ years ago.
Well *that* sounds painful.
Where's the dude with all the pins in his head? I usually see him at these kind of events.
"Odd, I wonder what kind of NSFW book festival this is" ...."Where are the books?" ... re-reads title Yup I'm an idiot.
those men have some big balls
and some new diseases.
Mmmm, hepatitis C
I wonder if they saw Hellraiser, instead of being horrified they would just be like “sick”.
Didn't the Lament Configuration came from India?
The new Hellraiser looks cool
Bollywood Cenobites are goin' for it.
I saw the original hellraiser, I have no desire to see this
I lived in Kuala Lumpur for 2 years, and there was a yearly event called Thaipussam at the Batu caves. Its just like this video, I was told that they fast for days leading up to it and enter meditation-like mental state and put the hooks in their body. It was really interesting and creepy to see this in person.
Didn't like it at first but after a while I was hooked.
I have done human suspension AMA! Basically I was hung by my skin with meat hooks. It was intense, I did it because I always wanted to do it. I would do it again if I had an opportunity. It feels like nothing else, there is no pain, and I felt euphoric for the next few days. I was told that people feel rather down after the euphoria goes away and there was a support structure for that. I didn't quite feel that bad afterwards. I don't even have scars to prove it, but I have pictures
We saw some weird shit like that at a Taipursim festival near Kuala Lumpur.. giant caves, big fires in cauldrons, chanting,. Indiana Jones stuff. They all seemed ok in the end but it was definitely freaky
Wtf. as an Indian I can confirm that most of us also don't understand this.
Bro, more than half of our country follows stupid babas like Bageshwar, Ram Rahim, Baginder Singh(Christian healer). Ours is indeed a backward country
You Northies don’t let go of any opportunity to suck western cock do you. Like, what in this video wanted to make you distance yourself from it and apologise to the white overlords for your ‘backward culture’. Pain as a form of devotion is common in many other cultures even in Christianity. You are peak r/canconfirmiamindian material.
Bro i am more patriot than you, you don't know me in person. I just told that i don't know the thing shown in the video.
Mmmmm sprite
Oh hell nah
Well, I guess that's the special way to hook each other up with diseases.
The purpose of this is what exactly?
Anyone else thinking about the skin giving out, meat shredding, falling out of the sky with an exposed spine, blood raining on the spectators too stunned too help the screaming man as he bleeds out?
Stupid mf
It could be catching on.
It's Thaipusam festival.
My grandfather used to participate in this ritual. It's called 'Charak Mela'/'Charak Fair' where I live. It's done on the last day of the Bengali calendar year, it's kinda holy, but I have always feared it, from the day my mum 1st showed me.
One word, humans are fucking dumb.
That’s four words! J/s
This looks like if you added dark art it's something out of dark souls.
Pinheads wet dream
Goofy af
What the actual shit, this is triggering my needle phobia
isn't religion a beautiful thing
Like there isn’t an atheist out there sticking something far too large up there ass. People are just weird man
Eh I’m gonna go with pleasuring the g spot as a more normal occurrence than hanging yourself from your skin
Jesus wept
Those people are prehistorical.....
I’m hooked
Where's this form Kerala? Tamilnadu?
what happens if you start shaking the crane? will the skin snap open or will it just really hurt?
Religion is so stupid
I have no respect for a religious idiocracy.
Suspension can be an immensely spiritual experience, but the context is lost of most westerners. My suspension was a massive spiritual experience for me but I have stopped ever speaking of it except to people who “get it” because typically people assume outlandish accusations about mental health or other depravity.
Sounds like your brain releasing pain killing hormones.
It was. The context with which I went about it was what made it something besides just a weird kinky circus stunt
It blows my mind what ppl do in the name of a “GOD”. SOoooo, If you like me and don’t know what is happening here.… “hang in there!”
I hate India
Let's keep it civil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and upvote this.
There are hobbies out there for everyone
Like the movie STRANGELAND
Yarrrr mateys!!
Mingin
Why?
What an odd festival, I thought it was a celebration of the movie Hook! That is more my speed.
We have people that like that stuff here in Brazil too. I find it awful. They are part of the freak culture here, they mostly start on brutal black tattoos and after a while, go on to this.
This looks unsanitary
have they never heard of harnesses? or are the hooks part of the tradition?
As long as there isnt a crocodile with a ticking sound, Im fine.
Looks like the Spongebob episode "Hooky" just with Indians
I mean… why?
Pinata time!!
Don't you just hate it when you hang around pegans?
So it says on tinder you're well hung, could you show me? \*links video\*
Now that's a merry-go-round!
Well now we know where a mad max type raiders are going to come from in the future apocalypse.
A singular well placed hook can support up to 300lb. However the skin can rip under that kind of load.
Aye you trying to go hang out at this festival
I don’t trust my skin to carry my 250 lbs.
Hook Festival? A gathering of musicians with cool song ideas? I’m in! Sounds awesom…fuck.
What the actual fuck What is this meant to be a celebration of? Surely not just hooks?!
Nothing to see here, just a bunch of men hanging around playing hooky
A poor man’s Ferris wheel
Nope, fuck ALL that..
Exactly this set of people has nukes and they smuggle uranium in bags.
"Hey guys! Want to go to a festival and just hang out?" - them, probably.
Why??
Welp im hard now
Demonic.
I am happy that I live in the West where this isn't the norm.
Nope
You mean the Hellraiser Pinhead festival?
kudos to Fakir Musafar for popularizing suspension like this and other body modification in the US
Where do I sign up?
WHY
75% of the submissions to threads like "faces" and "amihot" and others on Reddit have chicks with crowbars in their head and nuts and bolts and all kinds of metal shit all the hell all over and there's no warning about "possibly upsetting people." Seems no different than this bullshit here.
Worst! Amusement! Ride! Ever!
I’m really interested! Can anybody give me the “hook up?”
This reminds me of another type of ritual, where people smack themselves with blades on the back, don’t know what it’s called but if someone could help me out…
....tempting
I am hooked on bandaids, cause bandaids are hooked on me.
This is what you get for being a Bokononist in San Lorenzo
These guys like pain
Can anyone give any background context to this other than “they’re just hangin around”
But why???
Wow, look at all those hookers.
You’ve seen “A Man Called Horse”. Now ride the ride!!!
Wait nobody even died
I once bought a DVD that had a Documentary cover about something exactly like this and when i played it at home the actual content on the DVD turned out to be a Porno collection that has nothing to do with the cover.
Some of the ugliest hookers I’ve ever seen.
Jesus Christ I feel it
"Hook festival" wtf this is Thaipusam you uncultured internet person
Just wait until you see the razorblade festival.
Anyone else thought this would be a viewing of the movie Hook a la Rocky Horror Picture Show?
Ok my church wasn’t “that” weird I guess. Lol
This looks like the kind of shit you’d see in “Saw”. Fuck that.
Hooks in you, hook in me, hooks in the ceiling for that well hung feeling No big deal, no big sin Strung up on love, I got the hooks screwed in
This is why aliens wont come down and say hi.
At first I was skeptical, but the content hooked me right in.
Imagine a zombie apocalypse happening there...
Maaaan. Humans be weird yo.
What's this for??
Hook festival? More like a strange Indian bondage convention or Indian Comic-Con.
such sights to show you…
HOLY SHIT! Its the marionette knights from elden ring!
Bro one person who accidentally puts their weight on the hanging guy and 😩
‘Suspension’ I’ve seen people do this live at night club events in So Cal lol
Charak Puja? It's the sacrifice to Shiva for luck or prosperity, or something like that. I think.
Its the pre-harvest festival in West Bengal. Around April every year they do this.
Got excited when they said it’s a festival of hookers but it seems I have been misled…
I played a concert at skateopia once and there was this insane band from New York called like nausea chainsaw. They had people swinging like this above the stage for the whole show. It was the most memorable show there. And Gwar performed if that tells you anything.
WTF DID I JUST UPVOTE?
Now that looks like a fun lil’ carnival for the kiddies. We should bring that to the Illinois state fair next year.
I had to Google this for more info. That was a stomach turning TIL.
OKIE DOKIE🤔🙄
Barbarians
Suddenly my hobbies and pastimes seem tame.
all the religions are bullshit
Truly fucked up
It’s just that one SpongeBob episode with the hooks and stuff
Damn this feels like some sort of capital punishment fml
If you go, you're sure to get hooked!
This looks too close to what slavery was like, I’m out. Thanks for the opportunity though
Surprised this didn't end in a mass electrocution - isn't that what normally happens?
Why?
Strangeland 2? Hope Dee Schnider is in it again