ANNUAL MURUGAN FESTIVAL – MURUGAN KAVADI/PALA KUDUM – Sep. 21, 2024

• The Hindu Temple of St. Louis is celebrating Murugan Kavadi/Pal Kudam as part of our Annual Murugan festival on September 21, 2024. It’s a divine opportunity for devotees.
• Kavadi is the ardent offering to Lord Muruga.
• Kavadi devotees need to observe the following austerities.
  Observe fasting for at least eleven days for taking KAVADI / PAL KUDAM is recommended.
• Fasting includes eating only vegetarian food and maintaining celibacy is important.
• Avoid parties and gala events during the vratham period.
• Avoid entertainment of any sort such as TV, watching movies, etc.
• Take an early morning bath followed by prayers that include chanting Kandar Shasti Kavacham or other Karthikeya slokas.
• For Kids who carry Kavadi / Pal Kudam, serve vegetarian food and teach them slokas or songs.
• On the festival day, Kavadi devotees, please come to the Temple three hours before the Kavadi time for decorating the Kavadi and hang Abishekam materials depending the type of Kavadi you want to take – Paal Kavadi, Panneer Kavadi, Pushpa Kavadi, etc.
• The devotees who carry the kavadi should wear a white dhoti without any shirt.
• Girls under 12 can wear pavadai and full skirt. carrying Kavadi, Boys can wear Dothi or Sharvani Pants and no Shirt.
• Pal kudam devotees, please come with traditional dresses such as dhoti and sarees.
• We have Kids’ bhajan during the festival. It’s a good opportunity for kids to participate in the bhajans. Practice a bhajan song and join on time.
• Temple will provide decoration and prasadam materials for all the Kavadies. Temple will also provide milk for pal kudams.
• In order to enjoy the fruit of the Vratham, bring your own kudam, Temple will have back up pal kudams if needed.
• The festival includes abishekam with Kavadi abishekam and milk from Pal kudams followed by bhajan, Kandar Shasti Kavacham recital, bhajans, and Maha Aarathi with traditional aarathi holders. Prasadam will be served.

Kavadi registration will be closed on September 18