The festival commemorates both the birthday of Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of god Shiva and his wife Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. On this day, Hindu devotees walk 3 kilometre route carry kavadis (semi-circular metal structures) on the shoulders, milk pots and most even have the kavadis pierced to their bodies with spikes, hooks and skewers as a mark of thanksgiving and penance.
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