Carrying Kavady for Lord Muruga
The annual Thai Poosam Kavady festival was well supported at all three South Coast temples.
THE culmination of 10 days of abstaining from meat and observing strict discipline saw a colourful parade of three temples on the South Coast last week.
The Port Shepstone Tamil Association, The Umzimkulwana Shri Siva Soobramoniar Temple, and the Umbango Siva Soobramoniar Alayam celebrated Kavady with colourful and impressive displays of devotion. Kavady is a Hindu prayer that has been observed for many centuries in dedication to Lord Muruga.
Kavady is celebrated by temples all over the country, where devotees carry containers of milk from the grounds to the temple and this is offered on the murthi (statue) of Lord Muruga. The main Kavady was observed last Tuesday and the public Kavady was observed last Sunday.
Several devotees pierced their bodies with pins containing various items (lime, fruit, flowers) while others pulled a large chariot with hooks attached to the skin on their backs. Devotees do various things as self-punishment, while seeking blessings of the Lord Muruga.
This year a devotee, a woman from the Umbango temple pulled a chariot. “This was a first for Port Shepstone and Preshman Govender showed her faith to Lord Muruga,” said chairman, Kevin Govender.
“For me this is a test of your faith. It shows that we are not above God, so we should always humble ourselves. The prayer keeps me more close to God, it keeps me more balanced in my faith and always at peace with myself and others,” he said.
Although the festival went off well devotees and members of the Umbango temple were rather disappointed with Hibiscus Coast Municipality for not having the grass cut at the Marburg Sports Complex.
“We had written to the municipality in advance and had no joy. A devotee had cut a section of the grass on the day of the prayer. We also requested protection services to help out with traffic control but received no help,” said Mr Govender.
