During some festivals
connected to the deity Murugan, a devotee (bhakta) wears a bamboo yoke capped
with semicircular splints of bamboo on his shoulders.
Flowers, photos, ribbons, and other decorations are often
used to decorate a kavadi.
Murugan is invited to descend and rest upon a kavadi by a
devotee holding a kavadi, imparting his blessing via divine possession.
Carrying a kavadi is often done to fulfill a pledge made
while requesting Murugan for a favor, such as healing or deliverance from
various forms of suffering.
This may be a physically demanding rite: Kavadis may weigh
up to a hundred pounds when fully laden.
Metal hooks implanted into the skin of the bearers' backs
and chests are sometimes used to fasten the kavadis.
Carrying the kavadi is considered a form of devotion and may
be observed in places where Murugan's worship is widespread, such as southern
India, Sri Lanka's Kataragama, Malaysia, and South Africa.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
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