VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Seychelles Hindu Temple Marks 40 years of valuable contribution to the community and the Hindu diaspora, and the 32nd year of the public Thai Poosam Kavadi Festival, on Thursday January 25, 2024, with a colourful procession through the heart of Victoria expected to draw at least one thousand onlookers.
Thai Poosam is one of the annual events on the Hindu calendar and is the auspicious day of Lord Murugan, also known as Subramanyar and Velavan, celebrated during the Full Moon Day of Poosam in the months of January and February. It is marked across the globe in a colourful manner, with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Kenya and Myanmar among the important countries where the festival is observed. The festival commemorates the victory of the deity and is marked by acts of devotion and penance.
In Seychelles, the event was started in 1993 inside the temple, and from 1998 the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam has showcased the function in a grand manner in central Victoria. The festival has since become a fixture of the country cultural calendar and a recognised tourist attraction. The temple itself has served the community for four decades, providing a focal point for religious and cultural life.
The government, considering the request of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, has approved a discretionary day off for Hindu people who are working in the government and public or parastatal organisations. The move is being read as a sign of the integrity and secularism that the festival organisers say characterises religious life in Seychelles. The discretionary off applies only to Hindu employees and is granted on a case-by-case basis.
This year, devotees will carry 21 alagu kavadi, 1 poottu kavadi, 1 chariot kavadi, approximately 50 milk slungs and 21 general kavadi. The procession will start at 8.45am from the Seychelles Hindu Temple and move through Royal Street, Harrison Street and Lodge Street before reaching Quincy Street, in line with directions from the Department of Land Transport and the Seychelles Police. Traditional music will accompany the procession, and the devotees carrying kavadi will dance as they walk.
After the procession, the milk and other scented water materials will go to Lord Muruga for a special abhishegam, and a common feast for all participants will follow at the temple, organised by the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, with nearly 750 people expected to attend.
