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The Most
Important Custom
The most potent propitiatory rite that a devotee of Lord
Muruga undertakes to perform is what is known as the "Kavadi".
The benefits that the devotee gains from offering a Kavadi
to the Lord are a million fold greater than the little
pain that he inflicts upon himself.
Generally, people take a vow to offer the Lord a Kavadi
for the sake of tiding over a great calamity. Though this
might on the face of it appear mercenary, a moment's
reflection will reveal that it contains in it the seed for
the supreme love for God. The worldly object is achieved,
no doubt, and the devotee takes the Kavadi; but after the
ceremony he gets so God-intoxicated that his inner
spiritual chamber is opened. This is also a method that
ultimately leads to the supreme state of devotion.
The Kavadi-Bearer
The Kavadi Bearer, Kavadi Festival, Tamil NaduThe
Kavadi-bearer is required to observe various rules between
the time he takes up the Kavadi and the day of the
offering. He has to perform elaborate ceremonies at the
time of assuming the Kavadi and at the time of offering it
to the Lord. He also puts on the dress of a 'Pandaram', a
Shaivite mendicant. It consists of a saffron-coloured
cloth, a scarlet conical cap, and a cane silver-capped at
both ends. Lord Shiva, the Supreme Pandaram, Himself loves
to wear this dress. The Pandaram lives on alms only. The
Kavadi-bearer's bare chest is covered with several
'Rudraksha Malas' (rosaries).
Celebrations
The Kavadi festival is celebrated at all
shrines of Kavadi festival Lord Muruga. Dancing in a
hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga
carry the Kavadi all the way up the Palani hills to
fulfill their vow. Ettukudi Kavadi Festival is a famous
festival celebrated during the months of April-May.
Devotees from places and villages around this temple come
here with Kavadis, milk pots, coconuts, cocks and goats.
This is a major crowd pulling festival where one can see
the true Tamil culture in its habitat.
Connectivity
Palani is well connected by road and there are frequent
buses from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Dindugal and
Tiruchi.Nearest railway station is Palani . The nearest
airport is Coimbatore & Madurai. The Hill Station
KODAIKANAL (Princess of Hills) is 60 KM from palani.
Luxury Holiday India offers information on Kavadi
Festival in Tamil Nadu India and online Booking
facility of Kavadi Festival in Tamil Nadu India.
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