Veera-Shaiva community ritual -Guggalaa

As part the marriage ritual, devotees pierce a long needle through lips, tongue and cheek.

Veer-shaiva community people have been following this practice of performing a ritual during marriage to show gratitude to the god.

The marrying couples have to participate along with family members and parents in the ceremony.

The god servants those lead the ritual, praise god and laud about his incarnation.

A typical village woman

When I asked her about the bigger Sindhur which she had worn on her forehead, she said It is auspicious and expresses a woman's desire for a longer life for their husband.