Sufi holy men can be seen poking out their eyeballs with swords or piercing their tongues with metal stick to mark the death anniversary of the saint that established their branch of Islam.
The Urs Festival celebrates Moinuddin Chishti, who founded the Chishtiya Sufi order around 800 years ago.
The religious procession through the city of Ajmer, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, is part of the six-day long celebration of the saint.
Unlike other branches of Islam, Sufis devote themselves to particular saints – a concept other strands of Islam do not recognise.
It traces its principles from the prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Sufis believe that they are practising ihsan [perfection of worship]’ as revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to Muhammad.
Sufi Muslims consider themselves as the original true proponents of a pure and original form of Islam.
Source : dailymail.co.uk
