Chennai, India – A Hindu devotee was photographed reacting in pain on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after participating in a ritual involving the piercing of his cheeks with a steel rod. The event took place in Chennai as part of the ‘Aadi’ festival, a significant holy month for Tamils dedicated to prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses. The image was captured by Mahesh Kumar A. for The Associated Press.
Hindu devotees honor goddesses in India and Britain, in photos
