WATCH: Hindu devotees lay their worries at the feet of the Lord

The newly elected BTSB hosted its first kavady festival for the year in Actonville.

February 24, 2025

Jani de Beer 2 minutes read

A devotee prepares her kavady before the start of the Havan, a sacred fire ritual.

Devotees gathered en mass at the Shree Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Kovil, Actonville, under the guidance of the Benoni Tamil School Board (BTSB) for the final day of Thaipusam Kavady on February 11.

Wearing colourful traditional attire and carrying ornately adorned kavadis, devotees gathered at the temple to unite in prayer, surrendering their burdens to Lord Murugan – the Hindu symbol of strength, valour and divine grace – who gives the faithful the strength to bare their burdens with ease.

The newly elected Benoni Tamil School Board committee with the Shree Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Kovil in Actonville at the start of the Thaipusam Kavady festival on February 11.

“Unity in prayer fills devotees with a sense of pride,” said BTSB president Logan Pillay.

“The sense of togetherness we feel as we carry our burdens together is awe-inspiring. We may not face the same trials or concerns, but participating in the prayers and final precession fills us with the unwavering belief that, through God’s grace, these burdens will be eased.”

Gathering for prayer are Kameshree Govender, Sagren Pillay, Bayand Mkhize Premi Govender and Sivaan Pillay (three).

Speaking of the new BTSB board’s vision for the temple, Pillay said that the committee wants everyone to feel welcome within the temple grounds.

“We have one goal – to provide a space for worship and prayer. The temple must feel like home. God’s house should feel like it is open to everyone,” he said.

The recent celebrations started with a prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Murugan’s older brother.

“During this prayer, led by gurus Sandiran and Rogan, Lord Ganapati is asked to remove any obstacles which might prevent devotees from achieving their goals,” said Pillay.

BTSB committee member David Chetty and Sagren Pillay with the chariot devoted to Lord Murugan.

“The Havan, a sacred fire ritual, is then performed, and prayer items such as ghee (clarified butter) and herbs are offered by placing them in the fire to evoke blessings while cleansing the space and energy.”

After the ritual, devotees heave their kavadis onto their shoulders, carrying sumboos (brass pots) filled with milk and walking behind drawn chariots in honour of Lord Murugan.

“The precession symbolises following our Lord, carrying our burdens and exhibiting our faith to finally lay it all at His feet,” he said.

“At the temple, we pour the milk, a symbol of our burdens, from the sumboos for the paal abishekam (milk bath) where the Murugan murthi (idol) is bathed in each devotee’s worries knowing that our prayers have been answered.”