The Thaipoosam Kaavadi festival was celebrated with devotion and in keeping with tradition by the devotees at Mangere's Thiru Subramaniyar Temple.
The celebration that began on January 27 and concluded on February 5 saw thousands of people in attendance. During the ten days of the festival, 80-100 people attended every day, and on February 5, more than 500 people were in attendance.
"Devotees from different faiths and beliefs including Europeans (Kiwis), South Africans, Mauritians, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Fiji Indians, Sri Lankans Indians from various parts of India and disappointingly, very few Tamilians from Tamil Nadu attended the event," said the temple's Founding member Ilango Krishnamoorthy.
The celebrations saw Maha Archanai and Maha Deeparadhanais of the deities. There was also a procession around with devotees singing bhajans and dancing while carrying Kavadis and milk Vessels. The devotees were also seen offering milk by bathing the deity by themselves.
“The participation was outstanding, and the procession was very long. Seeing a spectacular turnout considering the long weekend and weather-related challenges, was overwhelming. It had colour, energy, women and children's participation, music and dancing in the street, which helped to throw out their inhibition about who they were (ego), and all were equal and enjoyed each other's company. All the attendees also enjoyed a community meal organised by volunteers of the Aalayam team,” said Krishnamoorthy.
According to Krishnamoorthy, such community events are essential for the Kiwi-Indian community to stay connected to one's home country's culture and rituals, especially the kids born here, as they get an opportunity to understand their Indian heritage.
The temple priests Shankara Gurukkal and Akash Gurukkal, who have recently come from Tamil Nadu, said, "The function was as grand as it could be in our home town. We never knew and beyond our imagination that Fiji Indians and South African Indians who left India 150 or so years ago still maintain and retain their culture and religion.”
The devotees, too, couldn't stop gushing about the celebrations and getting the blessing from the lord.
Suneel Kuncha, President NZ Telugu Association, said, "What a spectacular event, full of colour and pompous. I was very impressed with the priests and the way they had decorated the deities and how well they coordinated in conducting the Pooja."
Another attendee, Jayashree Iyer, who was part of the concluding day celebrations, said, "It was a great day, full of positive vibes and a good ambience. It was well organised, and no one can beat the way three priests decorated the deities.”
For the uninitiated, Thaipoosam Kavadi is a Hindu festival celebrated by South Indians, particularly Tamilians, in honour of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory. It is celebrated annually in the Tamil month of Thai, which falls in January or February. The festival is considered to be a time of spiritual reflection, devotion, and sacrifice. Devotees carry a Kavadi, a ceremonial offering, on their shoulders to fulfil a vow made to Lord Murugan and to demonstrate their devotion. The Kavadi can be decorated with flowers, fruits, and other offerings and can weigh up to 50 pounds. Devotees undergo a purification process before the festival, including fasting and meditation. The Kavadi symbolises the burden that the devotee carries and the sacrifice they make to fulfil their promise to the deity.
It symbolises devotion and sacrifice and is seen as a way for devotees to come closer to Lord Murugan and seek his blessings. The festival is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their faith. It is a powerful spiritual event that brings people together in a display of unity and solidarity. In this way, Thaipoosam Kavadi is an important event, rich in tradition, symbolism, and cultural significance, that brings people together to celebrate their faith and strengthen their spiritual connection with the divine.