Kavady festival lights up Tongaat

Loud beats of traditional music erupted and an array of beautifully decorated wooden structures and chariots brought the small town of Tongaat to a standstill, signaling the annual Brake Village Kavady.

Thousands of Hindus and devotees formed a human chain as they pulled, danced and carried the “kavady” and chariots from the Tongaat Outspan ground to the Break Village temple last Saturday.

The energy was electric from start to finish as Hindus from all over the country came together for what is known as a ceremonial sacrifice during the worship of Lord Muruga, the God of War.

“Kavedy” means burden and is commonly in the form of a wooden structure, a pot of milk or piercings on the skin that is carried by a Muruga devotee to evoke blessings from Lord Muruga for anything ranging from strength or help for a loved one who may be in need of healing. The chariots, which are pulled using a rope, are mounted with the Lord Muruga statue that the people pray to.

Brake Village temple CEO Sathi Subrayen said Saturday’s event marked the temple’s 108th annual Kavedy festival.

“The date of the festival is set on the first Saturday following the appearance of the auspicious star in the month of Punguni (March-April). Some of the devotees who carried a Kavedy started fasting ten days before the festival while others chose to fast longer. The fast usually entails them sticking to a vegetable diet.

“The biggest chariot is owned by the Brake Village temple while the others are brought in by the devotees.”

All the chariots are taken to the Outspan ground where people first go to pray. Most devotees them get into a trance and they carry the Kavedy and pierce themselves with flowers, lime, coconuts and brass pots apparently without feeling pain. Some devotees even pierce their backs with a large hook to pull their own chariots.

Subrayan said that 108 was an auspicious number for hindus and that this year’s Kavady seemed bigger than previous years.

“We have not yet calculated how many people attended. The brake village temple is the biggest in the country and we cater food for about 25 000 to 30 000 people.”

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