I’m always impressed by how ancient belief systems have become so ingrained in contemporary Asian cultures. A few years ago I saw a Hindu procession in a village outside Mumbai that featured religious floats being dragged up a steep hill by devotees who had steel hooks attached by cords embedded in their backs. They were of course very bloody as the floats were obviously very heavy weighted down by ornate state. The most devoted were self flagellating as they made their way up the hill toward the ceremonial cave in which I assume were ancient relics or statues.
I’m always impressed by how ancient belief systems have become so ingrained in contemporary Asian cultures. A few years ago I saw a Hindu procession in a village outside Mumbai that featured religious floats being dragged up a steep hill by devotees who had steel hooks attached by cords embedded in their backs. They were of course very bloody as the floats were obviously very heavy weighted down by ornate state. The most devoted were self flagellating as they made their way up the hill toward the ceremonial cave in which I assume were ancient relics or statues.