Kavady and true inner peace

KAVADY is one of the biggest religious prayers on the Hindu calendar and remains relevant to thousands of devotees in South Africa and millions around the world, said Guru Shanmugam Chinnasamy of the Arena Park Siva Aalayam.

“All one has to do is go to the temple on Road 706 in Chatsworth or the Parasakthie Temple in Merebank and see the huge turnout.

“There has been an increase in the number of worshippers every year. My temple, for instance, may be small but there are between 900 and 1 000 ardent devotees who attend for the main prayer day.”

He continued: “For those who think this auspicious time is not relevant, it could be due to the fact that they do not understand the prayers. People have different ways of praying and Kavady devotees take a vow to a certain deity.

“No-one walks a path of a rosy garden. Sometimes we are faced with hardships and we have to go to prayer for help

“So people take a vow and fast for 10 days before the main day.

“But the reason for the fasting is to practise shanti, which is peace, patience and calmness. Like a person practises yoga and feels peace, we practise shanti so on the main day our minds are not interrupted by other things. It is only focused on prayer.

“We have doctors, lawyers and other educated people who partake in Kavady, so that’s how it is relevant.”