Cavadee
Cavadee is a religious festival celebrated by the Tamil Hindu community, primarily in honor of Lord Murugan, the god of war and victory. It is observed during the Tamil month of Thai, which usually falls in January or February. The festival is characterized by intense devotion and acts of penance, often involving the piercing of the skin with skewers and hooks, from which the celebrant may carry burdens, most notably a decorative arch called a kavadi.
The word "kavadi" itself refers to the burden carried by devotees. These kavadi are often elaborate structures
While the most striking aspect of Cavadee is the piercing ritual, it is important to note that