The Shri Muthumari Angalaeshwari Temple (SMAT NPC) on Brown Street, Laudium, hosted its 5th Annual Thaipoosum Kavady Festival from January 23 to February 1, with over 1,400 devotees attending. Rooted in South Indian tradition, the festival ended with a grand procession on Sunday (Feb 1) from the Laudium Secondary School grounds through various streets in Laudium, ending at the Brown Str Temple, with over 400 kavadies carried and more than 15 chariots pulled in honour of Lord Muruga. SMAT NPC (non-profit), founded in 2005, thanked all participants, sponsors, and the broader community. Gratitude was extended to devotees and supporters from Laudium and beyond, for their devotion and presence which ‘strengthened this year’s spiritual observance in honour of Lord Muruga’. Appreciation was also expressed to the Laudium Sun for covering the event.
The Brown Street, Laudium, based Shri Muthumari Angalaeshwari Temple (SMAT NPC), proudly celebrated another significant spiritual milestone with the successful hosting of its 5th Annual Thaipoosum Kavady Festival, held from January 23 to February 1.
This year’s celebrations highlighted the enduring power of ancient South Indian traditions preserved by SMAT NPC — customs brought to South Africa by our ancestors over 165 years ago and lovingly upheld within our community. As a non profit religious organisation founded in 2005, SMAT NPC continues to stand as a beacon of prayer, cultural preservation, community upliftment and seva. Rooted in the heart of Laudium, on Brown Street, the temple remains committed to fostering unity and supporting the community through worship, feeding initiatives and cultural education.
The festival concluded with a deeply moving main-day Kavady procession on Sunday, February 1, where over 400 kavadies were carried and more than 15 chariots were pulled in honour and glorification of Lord Muruga. The day drew more than 1,400 devotees, families, and well-wishers, creating a beautiful display of faith, culture, and unity.
The temple extends deepest appreciation to all participants, sponsors, donors, emergency services, volunteers and every individual who contributed to the success of this sacred festival. Special recognition is given to devotees and supporters from Laudium, Midrand, Randburg, Benoni, Sandton, Olivedale, Lenasia, and the wider Gauteng region; newly relocated families and supporters from KwaZulu-Natal; and visitors from Cape Town. Your devotion and presence strengthened this year’s spiritual observance in honour of Lord Muruga — Vetri Vel Muruganakku Arohara! We are sincerely humbled.
We also express heartfelt gratitude to members of the broader Laudium community who supported devotees along the procession route by offering water, care, and encouragement. Your generosity reflects the true spirit of unity within our religiously diverse community — Mikka Nandri (Thank You).
As SMAT continues its mission of nurturing prayer, culture, compassion, and service to humanity, the Thaipoosum Kavady Festival stands as a reminder that a community rooted in spiritual practice remains strong through all adversity.
Board Members – Shri Muthumari
Angalaeshwari Temple NPC
Spiritual Head: Gurukul Reggie Naidoo;
Chairperson: Kamalen Govender Vice
Chairperson: Kershni Packery; Treasurer:
Dinoshen Naidu Acting Secretary:
Sharmilla Pillay; Acting Deputy Secretary:
Namarsha Singh
OM SHAKTHI PARASHAKTHI.
