kavadi

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Tamil:

காவடி

kaavadi

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

noun

  1. a large, often well-decorated metal frame carried by Tamil Hindus during the festival of Thaipusam, which is lined with a hundred or so spears and needles which pierce the carrier’s skin

    2. Each kavadi-bearer’s journey is unique. Murali Raj, who has been carrying kavadi for over a decade, shares his experience: “[I carried my] first kavadi 15 years ago – it was the spike kavadi. It’s not those small arch kavadis, it’s the one where you carry the whole figure, which is supported using the belt.”

    — 2020, (quoting Murali Raj). Roots.sg, "A Journey of Devotion - Celebrating Thaipusam in Singapore". https://www.roots.gov.sg/stories-landing/stories/A-Journey-of-Devotion


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cultural