[HPI note: HPI recently came across news of this celebration that happened earlier this year, relevant for gathering 200 Hindus and Muruga bhaktars in France and charming the small town.]
ARMENTIERES, FRANCE, February 1, 2011 (maville.com): Yesterday, in the late morning, the few motorists who passed through Brossolette Avenue or walkers who strolled along the river might have witnessed a procession made up of men and women with faces pierced with needles, carrying altars filled with flowers, accompanied by devotees chanting songs. Every year at this time Mauritians throughout the region celebrate “Thai Pusam Kavadi.”
About 65 Mauritian families are living in the city. They arrived, mostly in the months that followed the independence of Mauritius in 1968 and worked in the textile industry, thriving in that time. One of these arrivals, Indren Mathoovanthem a devout Hindu, organized the ceremony dedicated to the God Muruga for the first time 23 years ago. And little by little, this festival has become one of the largest in France.
The ceremony this weekend was conducted by two priests, one Mauritian, Sabapathee Vishnu and the other Sri Lankan, Suba. It consisted of, first, a prayer vigil on Saturday, then yesterday, a public celebration punctuated by quite spectacular rites practiced by many devotees. Fifteen devotees had their tongues pierced (some, cheeks and forehead as well) with ritual silver needles by the two priests while Tamil passages from “Thirupugal” book of poems of the sixteenth century were sung. Every moment of pain experienced during this procedure was accompanied by a shout from the crowd (at the height of the ceremony, 200 people attended), “Haro! Hara!”