Call to keep Kavady date

Cultural researcher discourages celebrating on different days for ‘convenience’

SOCIAL anthropologist and cultural researcher Dr Rajendran Govender has called on temples to hold their Thai Poosam Kavady celebration on the day it is meant to be held and not to change it or to have an additional ceremony for the sake of “convenience”.

Yesterday marked the official start of Kavady with the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony at temples around the country. It will culminate in the carrying of the Kavady – a sacred wooden structure – and various rituals on January 21.

Govender said South Africa had a progressive Constitution which acknowledged freedom of religion, and devotees could take leave to participate in Kavady on the prescribed day without fear. Some temples even issued them with letters which they could give to their employers.

“Praise must be given to the many temples in South Africa that have taken a decision to have Kavady on the prescribed day and not on another day for the sake of convenience.”

He said that in many cases temples had two ceremonies to accommodate those who were working and, apart from being costly, this was not in keeping with religious scriptures.

Govender said Thai Poosam Kavady was the biggest religious festival on the Tamil calendar and was held annually in the Tamil month of Thai, which fell between January and February, and regulated by the lunar calendar.

He said the Kavady had two milk pots on either side to give it weight. “By carrying it on your shoulders, you are making a sacrifice,” he said.

“Anybody can carry Kavady as long as you stick to the norms.” These include observing a purely vegetarian diet, abstaining from alcohol, and celibacy. In addition, the Kavady could not be carried by those who had lost a close member of the family as this was considered “ritual impurity”.

For the next 10 days devotees of the Hindu deity Lord Muruga will prepare themselves physically, spiritually and mentally so they can receive his blessings.

Govender said many devotees pierced their tongues and bodies while others pierced themselves with hooks attached to rope they used to pull chariots to their temples. Going into a spiritual trance was common and was a sign that the worshipper was on a different plane, said Govender.

Nash Singh, administrator at the Mount Edgecombe Mariammen Temple, said: “Going into a trance means that Lord Muruga is in them. He is happy with the way in which they conducted their preparations.”

During this religious festival, yellow is the colour most favoured as the sun is recognised as Lord Muruga, he said.