Thai Poosam Kavady
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Thai Poosam Kavady is a Hindu religious festival dedicated to Lord Murugan that is celebrated by Tamil people. Kavady translates as Kavu + Adi and is a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole. The carrying of kavady symbolizes the carrying of one’s burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord.
Thai Poosam Kavady falls on the full moon day in the Tamil month Thai (January). The ten-day festival starts with hoisting of the flag. Daily yegyams, ablishegams and singing devotional hymns are held in honour of Lord Murugan. On the main day of the Kavady festival, devotees carry the Kavady from a distance away from the temple, preferable from a river, back to the temple. It is believed that the more effort and hardship applied when carrying the Kavady, the more benevolent Lord Murugan will be towards fulfilling his devotee’s needs. Devotees usually carry milk and honey on either end of their Kavadies. After entering the temple grounds the devotees carry their Kavadies three times around the temple. When they are inside the temple, the milk and honey are poured over the statue of Lord Murugan. The festival concludes with the de-hoisting of the flag.
[edit] See also
- Thaipusam festival worldwide
Thaipusam which falls in the month of Thai (January -February) is celebrated with intense devotion by a very large section of the people throughout Malaysia. It is celebrated on the full moon when the constellation Pusam is on the ascend. Lord Skanda is the spiritual son of Lord Siva. On this day the Lance (vel) was given to him by is mother.
The origin of Lord Skanda, the purpose of His avatara and its significance are of much importance to all seekers after Truth. During the battle between the Asuras and the Devas, the latter were defeated several times by the former. The Devas were unable to resist the onslaught of the Asuric forces. In despair, they approached Lord Siva and entreated to give them an able leader under whose heroic leadership they might obtain victory over the Asuras. They surrendered themselves completely and prayed to Lord Siva sincerely. The gracious Lord granted their request by creating mighty divine warrior, Lord Skanda, out ofhis own power or Achintya Sakti. This great son of Lord Siva at once assumed leadership of the celestial forces, originated them, inspired them and attacked the asuric forces. The asuras were routed and a glorious victory was gained by the Devas.
Make a whole hearted surrender at the feet of the Divine even as the Devas surrendered to Lord Siva. And like them pray earnestly with Bhava and sincerity .The Divine help will surely come, and in your heart will spring up the routing torrent of Divine Sakti. The Lord's grace will become manifest to you in the form of inner soul force. This is the Divine power of Jnana symbolised by the Vel which vanquishes all undivine forces that attack you on the spiritual path and emerge triumphant and victorious.
Perhaps the most propitiatory rite that a devotee of Shanmuka undertakes to perform is known as the Kavadi. The benefits the devotee gains from offering a Kavadi to the Lord are a million fold greater than the little bit of pain that the devotee inflicts upon himself.
Generally people take a vow to offer a kavadi to the Lord for purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him. Though this might on the face of it appear mercenary, a moment's reflection will reveal that it contains in it the seed of love for God. The worldly object is achieved: and the devotee offers the kavadi. After the ceremony is over, he gets so much intoxicated with love of God that his inner spiritual chamber is opened. This too ultimately leads to Para Bhakti -Supreme devotion.
Kavadi : From the simple shape of a weighing balance or a heavy wooden stick to rest on the shoulder, to the two ends of which are tied two vessels, the mouth of which is tied with cloth, the kavadi varies in its shape and type to the costly palanquin superstructure, profusely flower bedecked and interwoven with peacock feathers (a feather that is of very great significance in Shanmuka worship. ) In all cases the kavadi has good many brass bells adorning it and announcing its movement since the kavadi bearer observes mouna or the vow of silence.
Now the two pots hanging at either end of the kavadi might contain rice, milk, honey, panchamirtam or other articles which the devotee has vowed to offer to Lord Subramanya.
The kavadi bearer has to observe various rules between the time he takes up the kavadi and the day of the offering. He has to perforrn elaborate ceremonies from the time of asuming the kavadi up to the time of offering it to the Lord. He has to dress in yellow and carry a cane silver capped on both ends. The kavadi bearer's bare chest is covered with holy ash and Rudraksha mala. He observes celibacy. He does not shave; he grows a beard. He takes one meal of sattvic food per day and abstains from all types of intoxicating drinks and drugs. He continuously dwells in the thought of the Lord.
A few of the kavadi bearers, especially those who do it as a sadhana, impose various sorts of self torture upon themselves. They pass a sharp little Vel through their tongue which is made to protrude out of the mouth. Or they pass a Vel through the cheeks. The Vel pierced through the tongue or cheek prevents him from speaking. It gives him great power of endurance and remembrance of God.
In all cases the kavadi procession terminates in an elaborate, colourful and inspiring ceremony. The priest chants various hyms in praise of Lord Shanmuka. Incense is burnt. Drums are beaten. Musical instruments are played. The devotee himself is in a high state of religious fervor. He dance in ecstasy.
[edit] References
- Sarres Padayachee, Kavadi in the South African Cult of Murukan, synopsis accessed at website of Third Murukan Conference, Kuala Lumpur, November 2003 [1] August 10, 2006
