Idumban was exhausted. He was carrying a kavadi, which had two mountains on either side, causing his shoulders to ache as if they were being twisted. Agathiyar was repeatedly messaging him on WhatsApp with the message, “Are you there?” but only receiving single gray ticks instead of the expected blue double clicks.

A few days prior, Agathiyar had tasked Idumban with transporting the two mountains, named Sivagiri and Shaktigiri, from Mount Kailash to Pothigai Hills (also known as Courtallam hills in the Western Ghats) via Air India Cargo.

However, due to the heavy rain in Chennai, all flights and lorries had been cancelled. Idumban was forced to embark on the journey on foot. He pondered the yearly struggles faced by Indian cities, with heavy rainfall during the rainy season and water shortages in the summer.

As Idumban continued his journey, carrying the heavy weight of the two mountains, he became confused and lost his way near Dindigul town after Trichy. At that moment, a young man on an Enfield bike came across the weary Idumban.

The young man said, “What’s up, seems like you’re extremely tired. Why don’t you take a break here?” and gestured to Avinankudi. Idumban agreed and decided to rest. However, unbeknownst to Idumban, the young man on the motorcycle activated a mobile jammer, cutting off all communication between Idumban and Agathiyar.

As Agathiyar was unable to reach Idumban through WhatsApp, Idumban was able to take a peaceful nap at Avinankudi without any interruptions.

After waking up and washing his face in Saravana Poikai lake, Idumban searched for the young man and his motorcycle, but to no avail. Eventually, all the messages that were jammed earlier finally downloaded onto Idumban’s mobile.

Idumban exclaimed, “Oh my god, what have I done?” and tried to lift the mountain, but was unable to do so. If he had help from Air India cargo or a National Permit truck, it would have been easier, but he was all alone. He wondered what a challenge this was.

While struggling, he noticed a boy sitting on one of the mountains in the kavadi, wearing a kaupinam (kovanam/a man forelap). Idumban thought, “Could this boy be the reason for the increased weight of the kavadi? Is he playing a prank on me? No, he’s just a small boy. But what if he’s causing this problem?”

Idumban then ordered the boy, “Get down from the hill, brother. I need to lift my kavadi.”

The boy mocked Idumban, saying, “You’re ordering me around? You claim to be able to lift mountains, but you can’t even lift it with a small boy like me?”

Already irritated by Agathiyar’s scoldings, Idumban had no patience left. He tried to grab the boy in an attempt to discipline him. However, Idumban was defeated in the fight.

The boy then asked, “I won. What will you do for me?” revealing himself to be the baby god Murugan in disguise.

Idumban responded, “Oh, the god with the sphere, were you the one challenging me?”

With great delight, Idumban then began to sing the kavadi sindhu.

“Sirvallar pasundhokai Mylon,- Valli
Chevvital Aladdinia Thelamudum Ailon,
Porvalar Tadangai Urumum Aiyalon – Vimala
Ponnadiyai innalara unnuthal seyvome.”

Kavadi Sindu – Annamalai Reddiar

Idumban received a blessing from Murugan. He requested that the devotees of Murugan sing Kavadi Sindhu poems and carry kavadis during their procession to the home of their beloved deity. Murugan agreed immediately.

Idumban went on, “Oh you who instructed your own father! I was carrying the kavadi to Avinankudi. You have blessed me. Please bless your devotees who come here with kavadis as well.”

Murugan happily accepted. And thus, Kavadi and Kavadi Sindhu were born!

“Sorry sir, there has been a change of plan in your project. The mountains will be here, not in Pothigai,” Murugan sent a message to Agathiyar on WhatsApp. He shared their location, which was in Palani. Murugan lived on one hill and Idumban lived on the nearby hill happily until they were taken under the control of the HR&CE department later 😀

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Translated to English and rewritten as part of Blogchatter’s WRITE A PAGE A DAY 2023 campaign, on the day of Thaipusam festival.