Kavady Festival is not a fashion parade!

In response to the letter “Welcome Change For Kavady Festival” (Courier, May 1), one must bear in mind that the Tinley Manor Temple is certainly a monument but at the same time a place of worship.
It holds a temple committee (consisting of its members) which attends to the temple’s prayers and festivals and general running of the temple.
The members of the temple committee are democratically elected in a fair process. I agree with the writer, Guru Iyer, that this year like many others the committee must be commended for their outstanding work in concluding this beautiful, kavady festival.
The writer spoke of the main kavady lacking leadership. This remains a question in my mind as the writer being a Guru (teacher), presumably ought to be educated as to the purpose of the kavady and specifically the main kavady. Leadership is hardly the purpose of the main kavady.
The main kavady of any kavady festival is one that is reserved for Idumban. Lord Muruga, who was pleased with Indumban’s repentance, determination and devotion, appointed him as his guard and is therefore always guarding the Lord. The story of Idumban is one that that proves that egotistical tendencies is a vice that is not appealing to God and Idumban’s journey encourages humility. I will gladly narrate the story should Guru Iyer require.
Now, to provide a response to Guru Iyer’s ideology: the devotee that carries the Idumban kavady is requested to do so by the committee. It is not a case of some tyrannical rule that a specific devotee carries the Idumban kavady every year. Each and every kavady represents the burdens that they carry which eventually is placed at Lord Muruga’s foot to relieve his devotees of their burdens. Jealousy and envy are vices that one must shed as the interpretation of the “main” kavady and who carries same, shows complete lack of knowledge.
The Guru writes that officials should add more “spice and glamour” and talks of the size and “weights of pins and limes” etc. What are you teaching people out there? The Tinley Manor Temple kavady festival is not a fashion parade! As a Hindu and a devotee of this temple I take offence at your statement. What difference does the size of limes or pins make? The symbolism is all the same. The very essence of being a Hindu is to flee from the clutches of materialism, to reduce ego and be of humble character. As a Guru who claims to be a member of the South African Hindu Trust (which organization I am unable to trace or gain any information on) you should be encouraging the teachings of Hinduism and not making such ignorant remarks and allegations on a public forum.
I suggest that the Guru contacts the temple committee to relay his thoughts. Nevertheless, I wish the Guru peace and love and I pray that Lord Muruga will guide him.
Vetrivel Muruganikke Haroghara!
INDRAN PILLAY
Stanger Manor (Letter shortened – Editor).