Devotees carry kavadies for Lord Muruga

During Thaipoosam Kavady, devotees pray to Lord Muruga to receive his grace, so bad traits can be destroyed.

Camalla and Prem Bhondu stand next to their decorated kavady.

The carrying of a Kavady symbolic of hardship and endurance displayed by faith, in carrying one’s burdens and surrendering them to Lord Muruga. In this spirit, Newcastle Siva Subramanian Temple devotees observed the Thaipoosam Kavady celebrations on February 8.

Proceedings got underway from as early as 5.30am on Saturday morning, where devotees gathered at the park on St Thomas Street, Suryaville, to decorate their kavadies.

During Thaipoosam Kavady, devotees pray to Lord Muruga to receive his grace, so bad traits can be destroyed, thus leading them to purer lives. ‘Thai Poosam’ falls every year on the full moon day in the Tamil month ‘Thai’ (January to February), when the full moon passes through the star ‘Pusam’.

Once the Kavady ceremony was concluded, a lowering of the sacred flag was performed to signify the end of the official celebrations.