Every deity has his or her favourite offering with which the devotees please them and celebrate the days important to them.
Kaavadi is the most important offering to Lord Subrahmanya (Lord Muruga). It is an ornamented arched pole which the devotees bear on their shoulder while the rites of this offering are in progress. It is observed either during January-February or October-November in most parts of India.
Though Kaavadi is observed all over India, it is most prevalent in Tamil Nadu, especially in Pazhani. The bow-shaped Kaavadi is decked with colour paper, flowers, feathers of peacock etc. After the Kaavadi puja, devotees move to the temple bearing it on their shoulder.
On both ends of the Kaavadi are hung containers filled with holy ash, milk or rose water. They are named Bhasmakaavadi, Paalkavadi and Panineerkaavadi after the objects with which the containers are filled. Besides, Agnikaavadi, Peelikaavadi, Matsyakaavadi, Velkaavadi etc are also observed.
Those who bear the Kaavadi are supposed to take alms from houses on the way to temple. After the Kaavadi is dedicated to the deity at the temple, the rites come to an end.
Lord Subrahmanya’s six heads represent six factors needed for man’s wellness in the material life.
Arthaagamo nityamarogita cha
Priya cha bhaaryaa hitakarinee cha
Vasyascha puthrorthakaree cha vidya
Shadoljeevalokasya sukhani raajan.
(Incessant flow of money, a healthy body, a darling wife, her willingness to do him favour, an obedient son and education that implies a source of income are the factors that grant man a life of fulfilment on earth.)

The observance of Kaavadi, at least, once in a lifetime is believed to provide the devotee all the six elements and enable him enjoy a successful life.
During the season, there are devotees who wear a sacred necklace. Clad in yellow or rose clothing, they wander about the streets. Besides the Kaavadi on shoulder, they hold a cane or a stick in hand. The devotee is followed by a train who keep calling out “Hara haro hara” or “Jai” to the deity.
People come to Pazhani from all over India. A drum is beaten while the Kaavadi-bearers dance about and cry out various names of the deity and hail him in a fit of devotion. Sometimes, the procession of the Kaavadi-bearers stops at temples on the way for a short time where they get fruits or buttermilk. Some devotees pierce their tongue with
lances as an offering to please the deity.
There is a legend behind the observance of Kaavadi. Lord Subrahmanya decided to marry Valli whom he loved dearly. But her parents would not approve of the match. They thought the young man was a nomad who used to appear before them bearing a bow-like device upon which hung bags of corn, pieces of sugarcane and ripe mangoes, which he used to share with Valli. Later when the Lord’s identity was revealed, Valli’s parents repented that they mistook the lord and teased him.
They wore the bow-like device which later came to be called Kaavadi and went on a pilgrimage to his abode, apologised to him and gave their consent to give away their daughter in marriage to him. It is in commemoration of this legend that the devotees observe the ritual today.