The Legend behind the Cavadee

Hello World

Today in most countries, people are celebrating the Thaipoosam Cavadee or Kavadi. Many people must be wondering why people carry Cavadee...

Here are some answers to this question:

• The legend of the Cavadee:

According the legend on Lord Murugan (Muruga, Subramanya), there was once a Sage which created two hills to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvatee finally appeared on the two hills, the Sage decided to go back to his home. He summoned his disciple to carry the two hills. Upon the request of his mentor, the disciple tied the two hills and carried it like a Cavadee.

In the meantime, another event was happening....

• The Mango of the discord:

Naradha offered a rare and precious mango fruit to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathee.

The two parents wanted to offer the fruit to their two children Lord Muruga and Lord Ganesha but they did not know to whom to give

So a contest was set and whoever went around the universe and return first to Lord Shiva will be awarded the fruit.

Without wasting time, Lord Muruga jumped on his peacock and went at full speed around the Universe. On the other hand, his brother Ganesha also known as the Lord of Wisdom, sat knowing he will not be able to outstand his brother and decide to find an alternate way to win.

Ganesha then went round his two parents and told them “You are the Universe and the entire Universe is in you”. By going round you, I have gone round the Universe and have won the fruit. Delighted by the philosophy of their son, Lord Shiva offered Ganesha the fruit.

When he returned, Lord Muruga became angry when he saw that his brother had won and in his anger, he renounced all the materialistic possessions he had and left with only a loin cloth for a retreat.

On his search, he found the two hills and went to settle in one of them.

• The fight:

After his rest, the disciple went to lift his Cavadee and found he could not lift it. He found there was someone in the hills and attacked the intruder without realizing it was Lord Muruga. During the fight, the disciple was killed and was later restored back to life by the Lord Muruga himself.

The disciple then prayed to Lord Muruga to be allowed to stand at the entrance of all his shrines and that any devotee carrying a Cavadee to Lord Muruga’s shrine in fulfilment of a vow, should be granted his/her wish.

• Other legends:

It is narrated that centuries ago, Lord Muruga was given the mission to re-establish peace on earth by delivering it of the evil grip of Soorabathman. It was on the Thaipoosam that Lord Muruga was bestowed the Vel by his mother, Goddess Parvathee to destroy Soorabathman. The Thaipoosam also symbolises the birthday of Lord Muruga.

To all the devotees of Lord Muruga who are going to carry the Cavadee, I wish you all good luck in your endeavour.

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

Gandhi

Wish you all a nice weekend.

Cheers

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