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Also read: What You Should Know About Thaipusam

The word ‘Kavadi’ stands for ‘kaavu’ and ‘tadi’ which means a slung to carry things across the shoulder. Kavadis come in various shapes, sizes, details and colors and so are their names. Let’s discover some of the Kavadis that we can spectator on Thaipusam. 

Paal Kavadi: 

Image via The Malaysian Times 
Paal Kavadi is usually decorated with peacock feathers alongside Lord Murugan’s picture. The milk vessel will be placed with the Kavadi and carried over the shoulder for Lord Murugan. 

Alangara Kavadi: 

Image via Astro Ulagam
The word ‘Alangara’ means decorate therefore this Kavadi will be decorated alluringly with peacock feathers, Lord Murugan’s picture, bells and religious symbols. 

Alavu Kavadi:

Image via Rojak Daily
This Kavadi is a mortification of the flesh by piercing through the devotees tongue or cheeks with a Vel (religious symbol). This Kavadi is common but the power of it, reminds devotees constantly of Lord Murugan. 

Vette Mulle: 

Image via Kavadi123
This Kavadi is all about hooks pierced into the devotees back and either pulled by walking behind a heavy chariot all by themselves or being hung from a decorated chariot. 

Koodam Mulle: 

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Tiny hooks will be pierced to the skin where pots of milk, vibuthi, sandhanam, kumkum are tied to it as an offering to Lord Murugan. Some may even tie fruits to the hooks. 

Thee Meethi:

Image via Kavadi123

Some practice fire walking on Thaipusam. It’s very common during temple festivals. Thee Meethi is for God Ayya’s and Amma’s. 

Karumbu Thodi: 

Image via Murugan.ORG 
Parents lift their child in a bundle with a pole of sugar cane as a symbol  of gratitude of being blessed with a child. 

We can already feel the excitement kicking in.