C & C globetrotting around the world…

We returned to Kuala Lumpur just in time for Thaipusam, an important and fascinating Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil communities. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati (a Hindu Goddess) gave Murugan (the Tamil God of War) a vel “spear” so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadam. Every year Tamil Hindus from all over Asia flock to the Batu Caves (Rock Caves) near KL on a pilgrimage. This year over 1.5 million people attended and we were among them.

Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan to emphasize debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan. Generally, Hindus take a vow to offer a kavadi to idol for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting approx-48 days before Thaipusam. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan.

On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common. The simplest kavadi is a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition, some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance. Other types of kavadi involve hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or with milk pots hanging from them. The greater the pain the more god-earned merit.

The families of the kavadi-bearers were accompanying them for support and there were many ordinary pilgrims on this special day. Being in the heat and with the masses of people, it is unimaginable for us how these devotees have the dedication and strength to carry the kavadi for so long and up the stairs to the caves. Many of them were in a trance to help them cope. Despite the overwhelming crowd and heat, it was a very interesting and unique experience.