The thol kavadi usually consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the devotee. It is often decorated with flowers, peacock(the vehicle of God Murugan) feathers among other things.
PAAL KAVADI
Carrying a brass pot of milk on their heads as offerings for their deity.
MAYIL/SHADAL KAVADI
The most spectacular practice is the Mayil/Shadal kavadi, essentially a portable altar up to two meters tall, decorated with peacock feathers or sometimes coloured and carved polystyrene and attached to the devotee through 108 vels/spears pierced into the skin on the chest and back.
ALAVU KAVADI
Mortification of the flesh by piercing the tongue or cheeks with vel/spear is also common. The vel/spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance.
VETTE MULLE
This type of kavadi involve hooks pierced into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or being hung from a decorated chariot.
KOODAM MULLE
Small hooks pierced to the skin where pots of milk/vibuthi/sandhanam/kumkum are tied to it as an offering to their deity, some may also tie fruits to the hooks.
THEE MEETHI
Fire walking may also be practiced, common during temple festivals, for the demi god Ayya's and Amma's.
It is said that devotees are able to enter a trance, feel no pain, do not bleed from their wounds and have no scars left behind.
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