Thai Poosam Kavadi Festival in Seychelles

Thai Poosam Kavadi Festival in Seychelles

The vibrant Thai Poosam Kavadi Festival and procession in Seychelles are set to unfold on Thursday, January 25, during the morning hours.

This annual event, organized by the Navasakthi Vinayagar temple, commemorates Thaipoosam day, dedicated to Lord Muruga, the Warrior deity of the hills.

At the heart of the Kavadi festival is the symbolic act of carrying small pots of milk attached to the Kavadi in a procession, culminating in the offering of all the milk to anoint Lord Muruga, seeking his divine blessings. Devotees, both men and women, observe rigorous fasting for at least three days before participating, displaying unwavering devotion.

Commencing at 8:45 am, the procession, adorned with traditional oriental music from a specially flown-in group from India, will traverse through Quincy Street, Revolution Avenue, Harrison Street, and Lodge Street, concluding at the temple. The festivities will wrap up at noon with special rituals, prayers, and a communal vegetarian lunch at the temporary Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar community hall.

Originating in the Seychelles Navasakthi Vinayagar temple in 1993, the Thaipoosam Kavadi Festival has evolved into a national celebration, attracting not only locals but also global tourists interested in oriental cultural values. State support, including the declaration of the Kavadi day as a holiday for all Hindus since 1998, highlights the festival’s significance.

Thaipoosam, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is celebrated globally, and the Seychelles Kavadi festival serves as a powerful expression of Hindu identity and solidarity in the diverse Seychellois society. It fosters inter-religious understanding, promoting harmony in the contemporary world.

Over 28 years, the Kavadi festival has firmly established Hindu Thamil culture in Seychelles, emphasizing principles of care and share. The communal lunch, symbolizing equality and shared abundance, echoes a noble philosophy applicable across religions, fostering a vision of global humanism.

The Kavadi festival in the Seychelles Navasakthi Vinayagar temple stands as a testament to the preservation, consolidation, and flourishing of Hindu Thamil culture, contributing to the sanctity of the temple and promoting universal values of love, kindness, and global humanism.

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