Dancing with a kavadi

Kavadi or kaavadi is a semi-circular object fitted on a cross structure and carried on the shoulders. Kavadi-attam, or dance carrying kavadis on the shoulder is the highlight of the Thaipooyam festival of the Sree Maheswara temple of Koorkanchery or Koorkencheri in Thrissur district of Kerala, South India. It is a seven-day long festival dedicated to Lord Subrahmania, who is the presiding deity of the temple.

A kavadi will be reasonably heavy so that it is not easy to dance with it. Kavadis used for dances will be highly decorated. Kavadi dances are common in many Subrahmania temples across the state.