Some parts have come from Singapore, while others were imported from India. He plans to make it even more lavish. The original kavadi was far simpler — and far more improbable — than the one Kumar carries. According to legend, two hills were attached with serpents to a piece of wood slung over the shoulders of the demon Idumban. Tasked by a sage with carrying the kavadi, Idumban stopped for a rest, only to find a youth sitting on one of the hills, making it impossible for him to lift it again.
An angry Idumban confronted the youth, and a fierce battle followed. Imduban was slain and then restored to life. Only then did he recognise the youth as Lord Murugan in disguise. Lord Murugan declared that henceforth all who carried a kavadi would be blessed. Chowddhri Kannan pictured first participated in Thaipusam after a severe case of dengue fever. So instead he carries a milk pot, which he will pour onto a temple altar as a symbol of devotion to Lord Murugan.
He also carries a ceremonial vel, and has another vel piercing both his cheeks. Legend has it Lord Murugan used the vel to vanquish a group of demons known as the asuras. But the battle is also about an internal struggle: the asuras stand in for human frailties: ignorance, ego and fear. Lord Murugan slayed the head demon, who then turned into a mango tree.
He took his spear to the mango tree, which then turned into a peacock and a rooster. The latter went on his flag while the former became his preferred means of transport.
Thaipusam can feel like a male-dominated celebration. The drumming troupes that follow them are all men. Kavadi and Thaipusam are inseparable Worship of Lord Muruga are intense and fierce. The word kavadi is made of Kaavu, and Thadi, where Kaavu denotes the curve, and the word Thadi denotes the word Log.
Thus Kavadi is made of a log that is to be carried across the shoulders and on top of the Kavadi, there would be several decorations. Idumban carried both the hills on his shoulders, and while he was traveling, he felt exhausted. He kept the hills near a pond and alighted for some time.
When he wanted to lift the hills again, he was unable to move an inch. He also saw a small boy on top of the hills, playing and rejoicing.
He tried to chase the little boy away, but to his vain, he was unable to do so. Idumban got very angry and fought with the small boy, who is none other than Lord Muruga. Unable to recognize as God, Idmban fought fiercely. To his surprise, he saw the boy more powerful than himself. Then he realized it was God himself, who is playing with him.
He regretted his fault and pleaded to Lord Muruga. People who visit Palani would make a visit to this hill too. This offering needs lots of will power and devotion, not all can take Kavadi to Lord Muruga, only the ones who are destined for this can take Kavadi.
More than any other offering Kavadi is considered to be the most auspicious and painstaking offering done to Lord Muruga. Only male devotees take Kavadi, as it needs muscular strength and also severe penance. Kavadi is a bow like structure adorned with peacock feathers, glass works, and many more ornamental things. Some Kavadis can weigh up to 35 kgs. There is an interesting legend behind the origin of Kavadi. Many million years ago, Lord Shiva entrusted sage Agasthiyar with two hills Shivagiri and Shaktigiri, asking him to install them in down south.
Agathiya on his way to South was called for an emergency and so he ordered his discipline Idumban to place these hills in down south. Idumban tied both the hills to either sides of his shoulders and carry it all the way to down south.
The long journey made him very exhausted, so he planned to take rest near a pond. Lord Murugan then appeared before him. Lord Murugan declared that people who carry Kavadi, which symbolises the hills of burden taken by Idumban, will be blessed.
It is believed that the burden in the life of a devotee who carries Kavadi is lessened by Murugan. Another account suggests that when Sage Agasthiar asked for the two hills, Idumban fetched the peaks of the hills and attached them to the ends of a kavadi, which is a pole used to carry loads.
Upon the reaching the peak of Palani Hill, Idumban spotted a young boy and demanded that he vacate at once to proceed with his task. The boy, none other than Lord Murugan himself, who was in a fighting mood, refused. A fierce battle began and Idumban was slain. Their wishes were granted by Lord Murugan. It is believed that devotees who carry their Kavadi to the temple will also have their wishes granted.
The two sides of the Kavadi are covered with feathers of a peacock — the vehicle of Lord Murugan.
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