GEORGE TOWN: After nearly eight years, Dr S. Arravinnath finally fulfilled a personal vow by carrying a kavadi for the first time this Thaipusam, as a mark of appreciation for his mother’s recovery from illness.
Describing the journey as both challenging and spiritually uplifting, the 29-year-old said he had made the vow in 2017, after his mother fell seriously ill.
Due to his medical studies, the demands of housemanship and later, the passing of his grandmother, Dr Arravinnath was unable to fulfil his vow to Lord Muruga until now.
“This year, I knew I had to fulfil my vow,” he said, adding that it had brought him a profound sense of relief and closure.
Being based in Kuala Lumpur and having no prior knowledge of kavadi or the preparations needed, he said he found it challenging to coordinate arrangements from afar.
“It was overwhelming at first because I really did not know anything about kavadis. Luckily, with some help from my mother and uncle, preparations went ahead smoothly,” he said.
Dr Arravinnath carried his kavadi yesterday from the Sri Muniswarar Temple in Jalan Datuk Keramat to the Arulmigu Sri Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
He described his experience as humbling and a reminder of perseverance, gratitude and devotion.
Meanwhile, pilot-turned-businessman N. Ramnath, 37, who has taken a lifelong kavadi vow, carried a spiked, body-piercing kavadi, also known as a sellavu kavadi, this Thaipusam.
He said the practice of carrying a kavadi requires weeks and sometimes months, of spiritual preparation.
“This year, I observed a strict vegetarian diet for 48 days. Last year, it was 100 days and on one occasion I maintained the diet for six months before Thaipusam,” he added.
Ramnath has been carrying a kavadi since the age of 10 and intends to continue for as long as he is able.
“When the time comes when I can no longer carry the kavadi, I will offer paal kudam (milk pot) to my favourite deity,” he added.
The father of one said he undertook the lifelong kavadi vow in gratitude for the strength Lord Muruga had given him in facing life’s challenges, adding that the practice also brought him deep personal fulfilment.
In recent years, he has also guided and supported others embarking on their kavadi journey.
Ramnath’s eight-year-old son, R. Tarun, who has been carrying the paal chembu (mini milk pot) since the age of three, also took part this year.
