"Silver or steel vel in many sizes are pierced through the skin, back, cheeks and tongue of the kavadi-carrying devotees, signifying that the vel destroys all the desires and evils in man and purifies him to be a noble soul. The carrying of the kavadi with all these rituals is a process of purifying the soul. The piercing by these sharp pins and skewers is an art by itself done only by expert hands. It is said that the will power, concentration and piety of the devotee are such that no pain is evident and it is strange that not a single drop of blood may be seen."