Piercing their bodies to show faith and devotion
Through piercing their bodies, worshippers are said to attain full concentration on the Lord
The Shri Siva Soobramoniar Temple held a ‘Temple Kavady’ on Tuesday evening in Drividian Road.
The Kavady prayer is observed by devotees over a 10-day period, during which they have to abstain from alcohol and meat.
Devotees make offerings of milk, water, fruit and floral tributes, while others go so far as to pierce various parts of their bodies with hooks and small lances called a ‘vel’. This is done as a symbol of their faith to Lord Muruga.
Through piercing their bodies, worshippers are said to attain full concentration on the Lord.
The Kavadies (two semi-circular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the devotee) are decorated with fruits and flowers, and then carried through the streets after the prayer.
The Kavady procession will take place on Sunday.
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