: Thaipusam ‘kavadi’ makers who were forced into hibernation for the past two years by Covid-19 are back in business for the festival this year with the waning of the pandemic.
Selvaraja, who has been making kavadi since he was 26, said he had received orders to make 20 kavadi for Feb 4 and 5 as well as a few from devotees who started fulfilling their Thaipusam vows last week at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, Selangor. He had learned the art of kavadi-making from his late father. Now, he is assisted by his two sons, Teenesh, 26, and Satish Raj, 24, in making the beautifully and intricately designed kavadi.