The Montford Shree Siva Soobramoniar Temple invites devotees to participate in this year’s ‘Chitraparavum Kavady’ while keeping in line with all Covid-19 safety protocols.
Marlon Etty, vice-chairman of the temple, said the prayer will be conducted differently this year. “In order for us to have a safe Kavady, we had to make a few changes to be within the sphere of the Covid-19 protocols and more importantly for us not to drop our guards down during this pandemic period. After careful consideration, we have concluded that devotees will only carry chumboos or lotta of milk instead of the usual kavady structure, bangaa, pal kadum or chariot,” he said. The temple will conduct the flag hoisting in-house on Saturday, 17 April, with daily prayers commencing at 6pm. The devotees’ attendance numbers will be restricted during this time hence, temple management suggests that devotees come in at any time during the day.
“The Chitraparavum Kavady will be held on Monday, 26 April, with devotees coming through with two chumboos or lottas. Devotees will enter the temple’s vacant yard where they will offer havan, smoke their chumboos or lottas and then we will fill it with milk. They will then proceed to walk around the temple once before entering to offer the milk to Lord Muruga and then exit the temple and temple property. We will have Lord Muruga’s chariot in the vacant yard for devotees to do their prayers,” said Etty. The temple has set the following guidelines to ensure a safe Kavady:
• All devotees that wish to carry milk chumboos or lotta, must make advance booking at the temple. The cut-off date for booking is Saturday, 24 April. The fee for carrying the milk chumboos or lotta is R100 per person.
• On the day of the Kavady, all male devotees must wear a dhoti when carrying the milk chumboo or lotta.
• No Bhajan Groups, no trance, no piecing, no pulling of chariots, no carrying of Kavady structure, Bangaa for the entire 10 days duration of the Kavady festival.
• On the day of the Kavady, the cut-off time for devotees entering the premises is 6pm.
• All devotees must wear a mask at all times when in the temple property. Covid-19 protocols are strictly applicable.
• The temple premises will be marked for social distancing.
