Kavadi Attam or more popularly Kavadi is a dance performed by the devotees of Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of war. The word kavadi in Tamil means ‘carrying weight on shoulders’.
In Kavadi Attam dance, the devotees carry the burden on their shoulders and dance; and give their offerings to Lord Murugan. This dance is performed during the Thaipusam festival.
Story of Idumban
The origin of the Kavadi Attam dance is based on the legend of Idumban. Once Lord Shiva entrusted Sage Agasthiyar with two hills Shivagiri and Shaktigiri. He asked him to place them in the South of India. Sage Agasthiyar asked his disciple Idumban who was an Asur (devil), to complete the task.
Idumban carried the two mountains on his shoulders and started his journey south. He decided to stop at a beautiful lake to take a rest before restarting his journey. After resting he tried to lift the mountains again but failed to do so. He saw a child resting atop the mountains and asked the child to move away. The child refused to do so and this infuriated Idumban. He decided to duel with the child. But to his surprise, the duel ended in his defeat.
He realized that it was not a normal child but the Lord Murugan himself. Later, Idumban asked the Lord for redemption. Lord Murugan made him dwell next to his hill and granted him the honor of having his shrine visited first if anyone wishes to visit the shrine of Lord Murugan.
The devotees visiting the Murugan shrine always visit Idumban lake. They perform Kavadi Attam during their journey to the top. They rest by the side of Idumban lake and take bath in the lake before entering the Idumban shrine. After that, they move forward on their way to the shrine of Lord Murugu.
Kavadi Attam Performance
The Kavadi Attam dance is performed mainly by men as they have to carry Kavadi or burden on their shoulders for the whole journey. The Kavadis are decorated with garlands, colorful clothes, and peacock feathers.
The devotees start the preparations two-days before the Thaipusam festival. They shave their heads and consume only one vegetarian meal a day until the day of the festival. They also refrain from drinking any kind of alcohol to avoid substance abuse. Kavadi Attam is an inalienable component of this festival.
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