All the action from Malaysia's Nine Emperor gods festival

Similar to Navratri, the Malaysian Nine Emperor Gods festival is a celebration that goes on for nine days, and is observed primarily in countries like Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Southern Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. The devotees perform ritualised mutilation on themselves, while being in a trance-like state. Fire crackers are also lit during the celebrations.

A devotee at the Chinese Shrine of Nine Emperor Gods with a 4.5 meter (9 feet) spear through his cheeks, starts the procession during the 5th day celebration of Nine Emperor God Festival. (Photo | AP) 

Devotees at the Chinese Shrine of Nine Emperor Gods pierce 4.5 meter (9 feet) spears through their cheeks before the night parade. (Photo | AP)

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is an annual Taoist celebration held from the first day to the ninth day of the lunar month. (Photo | AP)

In this picture, devotees at the Chinese Shrine of Nine Emperor Gods perform a prayer dance before the night procession. (Photo | AP)

A devotee at the Chinese Shrine of Nine Emperor Gods prepares to pierce a 4.5 meter (9 feet) spear through his cheeks. (Photo | AP)

A devotee with a 4.5 meter spear through his cheeks joins the procession during the 5th day celebration of Nine Emperor Gods Festival. (Photo | AP)

Devotees carry statues of the Nine Emperor Gods and the sacred urn during the night procession. (Photo | AP)

A devotee walks around with pierced spear. (Photo | AP)

Devotees at the Chinese Shrine perform a prayer dance before the night procession. (Photo | AP)

Devotees at the Chinese Shrine join the night procession. (Photo | AP)