Kavady is here!
THE Sree Vaithianatha Easvarar Alayam (Umgeni Road Temple) has geared up for one of the largest celebrations, the annual Thai Poosam Kavady Festival, which will be observed tomorrow (Thursday) and on Sunday for the convenience of people who work.
The chairman of the council, Billy Ponnusamy, said they had put into place special logistics, so devotees will not be inconvenienced or compromised for parking, safety and feeding.
“Although we expect to feed about 10 000 people, we have planned for a smooth flow of this process to ensure lunch is provided in the quickest possible time.
“All we ask for, is that devotees start coming to the temple from about 6am to decorate their kavady chariots on site and prepare for an early start of the kavady procession.”
Kavady is one of the most popular religious observances in South Africa, especially by Indians of South Indian origin.
AT MOST Hindu temples tomorrow and on Sunday, thousands of devotees will carry kavadys adorned in bright yellow and orange marigolds, deity pictures and peacock feathers.
Carrying the kavady (the wooden arched structure) on the shoulder is a form of penance to express thanks to Lord Muruga or to ask the deity for help in overcoming a particular problem, such as illness or joblessness.
Being able to ensure tens of thousands of marigold plants come into full flower a few days before the Thaipoosam kavady festival in January-February and the Chitra Paruvam kavady festival in April-May, is no easy task, explained Shane Ramsewak, one of the largest marigold growers in Durban.
Hailing from a farming family in Welbedacht, he worked for Durban Municipality’s roads department for two decades until he decided to go into crop raising.
Today he grows marigold plants by the thousands in various parts of Chatsworth – his largest marigold gardens are in Croftdene, near the RK Khan Hospital, and in President Street, Bayview. He also has others who farm marigold on his behalf.
Ramsewak said timing of the marigold crop was critical to ensure an abundant supply during the kavady festival seasons. “Rainfall and sunshine in the correct dosages are crucial for a good crop. Too much of either can ruin a crop, causing the loss of hundreds of hours of labour, as well as the capital investment in seed, fertiliser and irrigation.
“Hence the weather pattern must be carefully considered before planting,” he said.
Full-time security guards keep an eye on the marigold crops to ensure there is no theft of flowers, especially under the cover of darkness.
While the kavady festivals are when Ramsewak sells the most flowers, he grows marigold throughout the year using special hybrid perennial seeds imported from Germany.
“There is demand for marigold all year round for various prayers and funerals. Hence I have to ensure I am able to supply the popular bloom in winter and summer, come hail, rain or sunshine,” he said, adding that he also supplied the Gauteng market.
He was critical of some unscrupulous shopkeepers who exploited demand during peak prayer periods.
“The price I charge for a box of marigolds is constant during the year. One must not become greedy on account of people’s devotion to God. Charge a fair price and both buyer and seller will forever be happy,” said the genial Ramsewak.