Devotees bearing Kavadi walk over fellow worshippers lying prostrate on the ground — a devotional ritual performed during Aadi Krithigai celebrations at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Ulsoor, Bengaluru, on 6 August 2026.
Worshippers carrying Kavadi step over devotees lying on the ground in a sacred act of surrender and devotion at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Ulsoor, during Aadi Krithigai on 6 August 2026.
A child dressed in traditional attire participates in Aadi Krithigai festivities at the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 6 August 2026, reflecting the festival's intergenerational cultural significance.
Devotees bearing Kavadi arrive at the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Ulsoor, Bengaluru during Aadi Krithigai on 6 August 2026, completing a procession that is central to the festival honouring Lord Murugan.
Large numbers of Kavadi-bearing devotees converged on the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Ulsoor, for Aadi Krithigai on 6 August 2026, underscoring the festival's enduring draw in Karnataka's Tamil community.
Worshippers dedicated to Lord Murugan carried Kavadi to the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Ulsoor, Bengaluru on 6 August 2026, observing the sacred vow that defines Aadi Krithigai for Tamil Hindu communities.
Pilgrims carrying Kavadi reached the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Ulsoor, Bengaluru on 6 August 2026 to mark Aadi Krithigai — a festival observed on the Krithigai star day of the Tamil month of Aadi.
A male devotee with cheeks ritually pierced — a form of sacred penance known as vel piercing — participates in Aadi Krithigai at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Ulsoor, Bengaluru, on 6 August 2026.
At the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Ulsoor, Bengaluru, a devotee with ritually pierced cheeks joins the Aadi Krithigai observance on 6 August 2026, embodying the festival's tradition of bodily penance as an act of devotion to Lord Murugan.
Displaying deep faith, a devotee with ritually pierced cheeks takes part in Aadi Krithigai festivities at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 6 August 2026 — a practice believed to fulfil vows made to Lord Murugan.