Ta'Sannat, Gozo, Malta 

 July 22, 2023 

This photo features Parroċċa Santa Margerita in Ta' Sannat. The fireworks and elaborate decorations are part of the festa, or feast, of Santa Margerita. This picture means a lot to me, as it was taken on my last night in Gozo during which the people of Ta' Sannat welcomed me and my colleagues into their community to celebrate their patron saint. The sense of joy, celebration, faith, and community was overwhelming and heartwarming. 

This picture was taken outside of the Batu Caves in Selangor, Malaysia during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. It is of one of the devotees during the 8-hour procession from Sungai Batu (Rocky River) to the Temple Cave, which lies atop 272 steps. He carries a Kavadi, a large frame that holds brass or milk jugs as offerings. The frame is supported by the body as long skewers pierce the processors torso, piercings also connect the man to the carrier, inserted with ceremonial ash. Thaipusam is a traditional Hindu celebration that takes place on the first full moon of the Tamil month of Thai in honor of the god of war, Lord Muragan. The festival is celebrated though the practice of placing offerings and doing penance, one practice of which involves carrying large physical burdens and piercing the skin or face, called Kavadi Aattam. Devotees make this trek while carrying the Kavadi, some of which weigh up to 200 pounds. To prepare for the procession, kavadi bearers fast, pray, and maintain a vegetarian diet. When the devotees begin the procession, they enter a state of trance, resulting from the preparations beforehand. Thus they feel no pain when pierced, and no blood is drawn during the piercing or removal.