History of Kavadi

Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Lord Murugan .

 [1] It is often performed during the festival of Adi Kirthika and Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from Murugan .

[2] Origin 

The  kavadi is steeped in mythology.  At Mount Kailas, Lord Shiva entrusted the dwarf saint sage Agastya with two hillocks, the Shivagiri Hill and the Shaktigiri Hill, with instructions to carry and install them in South India. The sage left them in a forest and later asked his disciple, Idumban, to get them. Idumban found the two hillocks but could not initially lift them, until he obtained divine help. Near Palani in South India — where

there is a famous shrine of Murugan — Idumban put the hillocks down to rest awhile. When he attempted to

continue with his journey, he found that the hillocks were immovable. Idumban sought the help of a scantily dressed youth, but the youth claimed the hillocks belonged to him. In the ensuing scuffle, Idumban was defeated. Idumban  then realised that the youth was Lord Murugan. At this stage, Muruga had been outwitted in a contest for going round the world where his brother Ganapati had won the prized fruit. In anger, the frustrated child left the divine parents and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivaram (pronounced Adivâram and means foot of the Sivagiri Hill). Siva pacified Him by saying that He

(Subrahmanya) Himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge. Later, Murugan withdrew to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude. Muruga had made it impossible for Idumban to lift the hillocks. In the fierce battle that ensued, Idumban was killed but was later on restored to life. Idumban prayed that whoever carried on his shoulders  the kavadi — signifying the two hills — and visited the temple on a vow should be blessed and that He (Idumban)should be given the privilege of standing sentinel at the

entrance to the hill. Hence the Idumban shrine is halfway up the hill where every pilgrim is expected 

to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple of Dandâyudhapani. Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has spread from Palani to all Muruga shrines

worldwide. Description The kavadi consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the devotee. It is often decorated with

flowers, peacock feathers (the vehicle of God Murugan) among other things. Some of the kavadis can weigh up to 30 kg. 

[2]  Preparation 

The preparations start 48 days before the adi kirthika festival. The devotees purge  themselves of all mental and physical impurities. They take only one vegetarian meal every day for 41days/ 21days/11days before adi kirthika day , they must maintain a complete fast. [2] The  devotees prepare themselves by following strict purification austerities that include: [1] Transcendence of desire Following a vegetarian diet and refraining from alcohol  Sexual abstinence Bathing in cold water Sleeping on the floor Regular prayers

Vel Kavadi

The most spectacular practice is the vel kavadi , essentially a portable altar up to one meter tall, decorated with peacock feathers and attached to the devotee through 108 vels pierced into the skin on the chest and back. Chariot Pulling with flagellation may also be practiced. It is claimed that devotees are able to enter a trance, feel no pain, do not bleed from their wounds and have no scars left behind.

Not all kavadi involve extreme physical endurance. Some devotees also carry a brass jug of milk (Pal Kavadi) on their heads while others carry small pots with offerings for their deity.