Kavadi in Durban
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Kavadi, part of a Hindu festival, is celebrated around the world between January to February and April to May each year.
Kavadi is the last weekend of the month-long Hindu celebration. Devotees shave their heads on the day that the festival starts and parade through the streets while doing various acts of devotion. One of these acts involves carrying various types of kavadi (burdens).
These burdens usually entail piercing of the skin, tongue and cheeks. The elaborate ceremonies that can be witnessed during Kavadi includes spear-piercing through cheeks, walking on fire and hooks being put through devotees’ backs. Devotees believe that the greater the pain the more god-earned merit.
It is claimed that people taking party in Kavadi enter a type of trance in which they don’t bleed or feel the pain of these piercings. Besides preventing the person from speaking, the spear piercings are said to remind devotees constantly of Lord Murugan.
Lord Murugan, a popular Hindu deity, is the God of war and the patron deity of the Tamil land.
Although this festival is celebrated by many throughout South Africa’s Zulu Kingdom, the most popular site for viewing is the Sri Shiva temple in Mount Edgecombe, just north of Durban Metro.
Other Hindu celebrations in Durban
Draupadi
This Hindu celebration of the goddess Draupadi is held either in April or May. It can be seen at the Bellair Road temple. This festival is held over 18 days and builds up to a point where people walk over ten metres of glowing coals.
The Bellair Road temple is part of the Umgeni Road Temple Complex. This complex provides for all forms of traditional Hinduism and dates back to 1883.
Diwali (The Festival of Lights)
This three day festival of lights attracts around 10 000 people to Durban’s Beachfront each year.
Diwali, which directly translated means ‘row of lamps’ is characterised by the lighting of oil lamps and fireworks. This festival is probably the most popular and significant celebration for all Hindu’s throughout the world and is usually celebrated at the end of October.
When coming to Durban to either take part in these Hindu festivals or be a spectator, why not treat your family to a stunning getaway in Umhlanga rocks? We’ve got the perfect accommodation for your loved ones during these religious celebrations, it’s stylish, up-market, luxurious and very secure, everything you need to spoil them.
Casa Playa is situated on Umhlanga Rocks main beach. It has four spacious bedrooms with stunning sea views, four stylish bathrooms and a modern kitchen. There’s even a baby cot and pushchair if you need them. With a plasma screen TV, DSTV and a magnificent deck and swimming pool there’s more than enough to keep them happy and content. Having the main beach on your doorstep and trendy restaurants and coffee shops in walking distance, Casa Playa really is the ideal accommodation.
Book your Kavadi accommodation now
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