Why do Hindu men carry the kavadi during Thaipusam?

Why do Hindu men carry the kavadi during Thaipusam?

For devotees, carrying a kavadi is a significant experience, especially during the Thaipusam festival. As such, devotees make vows and pledges to Lord Murugan to prove their gratitude to him and pay penances to him on Thaipusam day upon having their wishes granted.

What is the purpose of kavadi Attam?

Kavadi Aattam (Tamil:காவடி ஆட்டம், Malayalam: കാവടിയാട്ടം) (“Burden Dance”) is a ceremonial sacrifice and offering practiced by devotees during the worship of Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of War. It is a central part of the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage.

What do the kavadi bearers do before Thaipusam?

Devotees prepare for the celebration by keeping their body always clean, doing regular prayers, following a vegetarian diet and fasting before the Thaipusam. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan.

What is Kavady all about?

THAI Poosam Kavady is a South Indian festival celebrated all around the world over a period of 10 days in devotion to Lord Muruga. The period of Thai falls in January and February when the moon is in full phase. A Kavady is a pole with loads on either ends, this symbolises the burdens one carries.

What is special about Thaipusam?

Anchored by a large, colourful annual procession, Thaipusam sees Hindu devotees in Singapore seeking blessings, fulfilling vows and offering thanks. The festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Subramaniam (also known as Lord Murugan), the destroyer of evil who represents virtue, youth and power.

Why is Thaipusam important?

Thaipusam is a day of prayers and penance. Dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan,8 a major South Indian god,9 the deity of youth, power and virtue, this festival is a time for repentance for devotees with celebrations carried out mainly at the temple.

Why do we pour milk on Murugan?

Abhishegam is a Hindu ritual of pouring a sacred substance – in this case, milk – on the deity as an offering, while chanting mantras. The acceptance of the milk by Lord Murugan is an acknowledgment of the devotee’s prayer.

Why do people fast Kavady?

Durban – The Hindu festival of Thai Poosam Kavady, or Kavady, is dedicated to the Hindu god of war, Lord Muruga. As Christians fast for lent and Muslims for Ramadaan, Hindus of Tamil Nadu eat vegetarian meals and forsake simple pleasures for 10 days to honour Muruga during this period.

How is Thaipusam celebrated?

What does Thaipusam mean?

Thaipusam is a temple festival celebrated by Hindus of Tamil descent in Singapore. Thaipusam is actually derived from thai which means “10th”, and pusam meaning “when the moon is at its brightest”.

Is Thaipusam a celebration?

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by the Tamil devotees of Lord Kartikeya (Lord Murugan), the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The festival is observed on the Pournami Tithi (Full Moon Day) in the Tamil month of Thai which concurs with the Makara month as per the Solar calendar followed in North India.

What is the significance of the kavadi aattam?

Kavadi Aattam ( Tamil :காவடி ஆட்டம், Malayalam: കാവടിയാട്ടം) (“Burden Dance”) is a ceremonial sacrifice and offering practiced by devotees during the worship of Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of War. It is a central part of the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage.

Who is the first person to take Kavadi to Palani?

As Idumban is the one who took first Kavadi to Palani, all the devotees who take Kavadi to Lord Muruga first visit Idumban temple, and offer him a coconut, before seeing Lord Muruga.

Why do we carry kavadi from home to Temple?

Many devotees carry the Kavadi, where they also place many things which are to be used for the prayers, and sacred veneration. It is the milk pot, which is carried by their devotees. It is usually the fresh milk from the cows, where they carry it from the entire stretch of their homes to the temples.

Which is the most famous group of Kavadis?

But most famous are the Chettiar Kavadis, which come from four region Karaikudi, Devakottai, Nerkuppai and Melaisivapuri. Kavadis from these four part of down south is known for their discipline, coordination, pious devotion, and planning. Every group of these consists of minimum 50 Kavadis.