Thai Poosam Kavady was celebrated this past Saturday (Feb 15) at the Emerald Street Park by the local Tamil Community, hosted by the Jacinth Str based Shree Kalikambal Kovil (SKK), of Laudium.
Millions of Muruga devotees around the world celebrated this festival, with more than 250 people in attendance at the local celebrations.
At SKK we endeavour to get maximum involvement of our youth in all our prayers and functions, as they need to carry forward our culture and traditions. As an organization we teach and encourage the youth to participate in all aspects of prayers so they can be our ambassadors. We ensure that they know and understand the various rituals that are performed. ‘Knowledge is Power’ and as an organization we impart as much knowledge as we can to the younger generation. Thai Poosam Kavady occurs annually in the month of Thai (Maagha in North India), during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) on Purnima (full moon) when Poosam Nakshatra (star) is prevailing. The festival commemorates when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel “spear” to defeat the evil demon Soorapadman. The festival occurs in the 10th month on the Tamil calendar, on the day when the full moon passes through the star “Pusam”. This event is called “Thai Poosam”. The festival is one of the biggest on the South African Indian calendar. Thai Poosam is a day of prayer and penance. It is dedicated to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan the deity of youth, power and virtue. The festival is a time for repentance for devotees, with celebrations carried out mainly at the Temple. Devotees carry water and milk to Temples to bathe the murti of Lord Murugan. Generally, ten days before Thai Poosam Kavady, a flag is hoisted at Temples. This flag hoisting is a way of giving notice of the coming event.
During this period, devotees observe a fast, including abstaining from meat, for 10 days.
The Kavady procession is seen as an outward demonstration of mass devotion to Lord Muruga. Devotees “hook” themselves with spikes, lime, coconuts, fruits and flowers on their bodies, including piercing their tongues. Some hook themselves to chariots carrying the statues of deities. It is a day of spiritual rejoicing and upliftment.
Submitted by:
Cathy Pillay
Secretary – Shree Kalikambal Kovil (Jacinth Street)
