Families unite in prayer
TENS of thousands of South Africans of Indian-origin flocked to temples and places of worship around the country to participate in the annual Kavady prayer services on Sunday.
The gatherings followed similar events that were held three days earlier.
The services were characterised by families participating in the kavady ceremonies with passion, commitment and faith in Lord Muruga.
Devotees turned up in huge numbers in the scorching heat.
I was really impressed when I attended one of the ceremonies at the Shri Siva Subramaniar Alyam in Umdloti Drift, Verulam.
Like hundreds of temples in KwaZulu-Natal, this one was built by our Indian ancestors, who were brought to the Natal colony in the 1860s to work as indentured labourers on sugar plantations.
Kavady was one of the religious traditions they observed and taught their children.
At the Umdloti Drift Alyam, I was thrilled to see young people involved, not only in carrying the kavady, but also as singers, drummers and supporting their families.
The ceremony was enhanced tenfold by beautiful music.
Some of the devotees said they carried the kavady for spiritual upliftment and the cultural significance of the ceremony.
Enver Moodley, 28, a general manager at a contact centre, took part in the ceremony with his wife and one-year-old son.
“It’s a devotion and something I do for my child to make sure he follows the rituals with which I was brought up,” he said.
“I have been really involved for the past nine years.
“Every year, I have seen people’s lives change for the better and I have seen the effect in myself.
“I am 28-years-old and I have seen that I have been prospering ever since I have been carrying the kavady.”
He conceded that with the advent of technology and modernisation, there were some concerns about whether the younger generation would maintain their religious traditions and culture.
“But I believe that if parents, like me and my wife, continue to promote the kavady and other festivals within our families, then the children will follow in our the footsteps.”
Another kavady devotee was financial accountant, Vasanthie Nayanar.
“For me, it’s something I have to do every year. There’s no vow, no penance. It’s just part of my culture basically. I feel spiritually uplifted when I carry the kavady.”
Nayanar has started a youth programme to educate youngsters on the importance and significance of kavady.
“In order to retain the youth, we must educate them about the significance of the kavady. For me, that should be the purpose of the kavady.”
Professor Chandru Kisten, a trustee at the Shri Siva Subramamiar Alyam, said they had seen an upsurge in the number of people, especially the youth, participating in the kavady ceremonies.
“There is a resurgence among the people, especially the young, in their traditions and cultures because of the good work being carried out by all the temples and organisations,” he said.
“There’s a greater awareness of the significance, and at the same time, there are so many stories told about the miracles that happen during this auspicious period.
“There’s a real belief in the carrying of the kavady and the significance of the prayer.”
He added: “You will even find the youngsters now, not only piercing their bodies and carrying the kavady, but there’s a real belief in kavady.
“The youngsters come forward and assist.
“The fact that they come with their parents and pray together is an indication that more and more people are becoming spiritually inclined.
“This tradition, started by our ancestors, has continued and we must now continue to strengthen and promote the kavady ceremony and other cultural traditions.”