Procession honours Hindu deity |04 February 2015

Traffic around the centre of Victoria came to an absolute standstill yesterday morning as the Hindu Kavadi procession wound its way from the Vinayagar Temple on Quincy Street attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

The colourful Thaipoosam Kavadi marks the victory of Lord Murugan, the Hindu deity, over evil, during which male devotees pierced their skin and tongues with metal rods and danced like in a trance carrying kavadis, the extravagantly large structures attached to their bodies. This is a sign of penance asking for the god’s forgiveness and blessing while the women and children carried pots of milk and other offerings on their heads.

The chairperson of the Hindu Kovil Sangam, Veera Pandiyan Pillay, said the ceremony is an important one and it is a time for prayers during which devotees ask the god’s blessing for prosperity, good health, peace and good luck.

The hour-long procession wound its way along Revolution Avenue, Harrison Street, Lodge Street and back to the temple were more prayers were held.
This was followed by a lunch for all devotees and other guests at the back of Deenu’s Supermarket where Mr Pillay said the Hindu Kovil Sangam is planning to build a cultural centre.