Hindus observe blessed Kavady festival
The Thai Poosam Kavady festival concluded on Sunday.
For thousands of Hindus on the South Coast, the 15 days of strict fasting of the Thai Poosam Kavady festival ended on Sunday.
Every year, devotees gather at the Port Shepstone Tamil Association, Umzimkuluwana Shri Siva Soobramoniar Temple and the Umbango Sri Siva Soobramoniar Temple to worship Lord Muruga.
It is a Hindu tradition brought over from India where devotees observe a fast and carry a Kavady, which is a semi-circular structure decorated with flowers, ferns, palm leaves and a vel (a spear-like weapon that Lord Muruga holds in his hand), lime, sacred ashes and peacock plumes (the peacock is the vehicle of Lord Muruga), and bearing brass vessels of milk.
This Kavady is carried on the devotee’s should
er from a river or ground to Lord Muruga’s shrine at a nearby temple during the festival.
It is a South Indian tradition that is observed during the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January till mid-February). It is then called the Thai Poosam Kavady and held again in April.
The main Kavady was held last Tuesday, and the public Kavady on Sunday.
Umzimkuluwana Shri Siva Soobramoniar Temple in Langalibalele near Oribi held a beautiful festival from the NPC grounds and the Umbango Temple from Short Street.
The temples’ committees thank all devotees and sponsors for taking part and keeping Hinduism alive. The next Kavady will be held in April.
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