Kavady Celebrations

The Easter Holidays are upon us and it is not just a time for yummy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross buns but a time of prayer and remembrance. It is one part of the year that all communities come together in the name of Divinity for the resurrection of the Human Spirit and the pure innate values that we are born with. We celebrate the rise of our beloved Father Christ, devotees stepping onto holy lotus embers for Fire walking; the ISKCON Chariot Festival takes place and the worship of Lord Muruga for Kavady.

I have had the blessing to be on the holy ground of the beautiful and powerful, Klipfontein Shree Emperumal Temple this past Saturday for their celebrations for Kavady. The night preceding the Kavady has always seen a cultural festival taking place at the temple, comprising of song, dance and drama which was a speciality in the good old days of the 'six foot dance'. However in recent years the song and dance continued in earnest with local artists from Tongaat and visiting artists from around Durban gracing the stage with their artistic talent and ability which added to the Kavady festivals grandeur.

The Klipfontein Shree Emperumal Temple which was established in 1905, is dedicated to the deity of Preservation, Lord Mahavishnu who is also referred to as EMPERUMAL. The Temple is situated on the sugar belt of the KZN north coast in the sugar barracks build by our forefathers who came to South Africa with faith in their Lord Mahavishnu, their tower of strength.

75 years ago the Temple, committed to their people commenced with carrying of Kavady and worship to Lord Muruga at their temple even though it is a Vishnu Temple. In the early years the Kavady procession commenced from Westbrook beach and made its way back to the temple. Slowly the marathon route was shortened and eventually a decision was taken that the Kavady will commence from the open sugar cane land close to the temple precinct.

A powerful expression of Peace & Bhakthi to the Kavady is the Morning Spiritual Walk to the temple by the devotees of the Gayathree Peedam Ashram which has truly heightened the vibrations for the Kavady. The Temple expresses their appreciation to Swami Shankarananda and his group of dedicated devotees. The procession from Verulam to Tongaat has been steadily growing over the years with devotees wanting to test their faith by joining in. Devotees in India walk from their homes, sometimes more than a hundred kilometres away, walking with their Kavady or Palkudam, all the way to the temple in Palani or one of the other six abodes of Lord Muruga. The march by the Gayathree Peedam gives the temple that same India sentiment.

75 Years of Kavady at KSET is made possible through the grace of Lord Muruga, in the form of magnanimous sponsorships and donations by the generous patrons and sponsors from the public thus allowing for the divine success of the Festival and the abundance of blessings from the Lord of Righteousness and Lord Muruga.