Tamilnadu January 08th, 2014: The 10 day festival of Kavady starts with the hoisting of the flag.

THAI Poosam Kavady is a Hindu religious festival dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Muruga. In the Tamil language, Kavady translates as ‘a pole slung across the shoulders to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried’, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole.

The carrying of Kavady symbolises the carrying of one’s burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord. This religious occasion falls on the full moon day in the Tamil month Thai (January). The 10 day festival starts with the hoisting of the flag. Daily rituals and the singing of devotional hymns are held in honour of Lord Muruga.

The Umbango Shri Siva Soobramoniar Alayam started its Kavady festival on Tuesday, January 7. Daily prayers will be held at 5.30pm. The main Kavady will be held on Thursday, January 16 at 2pm and public Kavady on Sunday, January 19 at 6am. Temple chariots will proceed through the streets of Port Shepstone on Sunday, January 12 from 9am. Kavady bookings are open at the temple.

The Port Shepstone Tamil Association also starts observing its annual Thai Poosam Kavady today (Wednesday). The main Kavady festival will be held on January 17 at 10am.

The Umzimkulwana Sri Siva Soobramoniar Temple in Langabelela will host its 75th Thai Poosam Kavady from January 8 to 19. Flag hoisting was held today (Wednesday).

The main Kavady will be held at the temple grounds on January 17 at 4pm. The public Kavady will commence from the Natal Portland Cement grounds on January 19 at 7am. Bringing down the flag will take place on January 19 at 2pm.