Tamil worshippers throughout Mauritius demonstrate their unwavering devotion to Lord Subramaniam at Thaipoosam Cavadee festival, an impressive display of organised religious fervour. The devotees pierce their tongue and cheeks, then parade the streets carrying flower-covered wooden arches and milk pots.These acts are performed as gratitude for all those whose wishes have been granted throughout the year, as well as to show the devotion of those who make Lord Subramaniam their personal deity. Devotees transport containers of milk on flower-adorned wooden yokes: a stricture is that despite the burning sun, the transported milk must not have curdled when it arrives at the temple!