What is a kavadi?

A kavadi is a ceremonial structure carried by devotees during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, primarily celebrated in South India and by Tamil communities worldwide. It typically consists of a decorated frame or an arch, often adorned with flowers, peacock feathers, and other offerings, and is borne on the shoulders of the devotees as an act of penance and devotion to the deity Murugan. The kavadi symbolizes the burdens devotees take on for spiritual cleansing and fulfillment of vows. The procession often involves music, dance, and intense physical endurance, as participants may also perform various acts of self-mortification.