These are called murtis. A murti is an image which represents a divine spirit (murta). Meaning literally “embodiment”, a murti is a representation of a divinity, made usually of stone, wood, or metal, which serves as a means through which a divinity may be worshiped. The murti is a way to communicate with the abstract one God. Once a year, in July, the murti of Subramanya-Ayyappa is taken out of the temple, placed on a chariot and escorted around the village of Val-Morin. This celebration is called Kaavadi.