Carrying Kavady to honour Lord Muruga
When a devotee carries Kavady, it symbolises the carrying of their burden and resting it at the feet of Lord Muruga.
THAI Poosam Kavady is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus, dedicated to the deity, Lord Muruga.
The word ‘kavady’ is of Tamil origin and is a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole.
When a devotee carries Kavady, it symbolises the carrying of their burden and resting it at the feet of Lord Muruga.
Most use wooden or metal arches decorated with flowers, lime, photos of Hindu deities, fruit and milk., while others use a bamboo pole or a milk pot filled with milk, also known as paal kodum.
There are also devotees who have their bodies pierced for this festival.
Marigold flowers and limes are most commonly pinned to their bodies.
Festivities take place over a 10 day period and devotees are expected to fast and abstain from various things such as alcohol and meat for the duration.
On the first day of the festival a flag is hoisted at the temple. This marks the beginning of the 10 day fast and observance of the festival.
The flag is then lowered on the last day.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
