Tiruchendur, Nov 8 Devotees from various parts of the state thronged Tiruchendur on Thursday evening to witness the grand spectacle of ‘Soorasamharam’, the most anticipated highlight of the Kanda Sashti festival. The festival is celebrated at the renowned Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple, one of the six sacred abodes (AruPadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan.The ‘Soorasamharam’ symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, commemorating the day when Lord Murugan vanquished the demon Surapadman. This annual event draws thousands of worshippers who gather to participate in and witness the reenactment of this divine victory.
As the clock neared 4:30 p.m., devotees assembled at the beach near the temple for the commencement of the ritual. The deity Jeyanthinathar, adorned in ceremonial splendor, was carried in a procession that marked the beginning of the enactment. The dramatic ritual involved the symbolic slaying of the demon Surapadman with the deity’s sacred weapon, the ‘vel’ (spear).
The enactment unfolded with the demon first appearing in the guise of an elephant and then a lion, both of which were defeated by Lord Murugan. The ultimate confrontation followed, wherein the demon Surapadman emerged in his true form and was defeated by the deity in front of the fervent crowd chanting “Vetrivel Muruganuku arogara, Veeravel Muruganuku arogara, Kandahanukku arogara.” The reenactment concluded with Lord Murugan slicing a mango tree, from which Surapadman emerged in the forms of a cock and a peacock. The deity adopted the cock as his battle standard and the peacock as his divine mount, signifying his absolute victory over the forces of evil.
Earlier in the day, the temple’s sanctum sanctorum was opened at 1:00 a.m. for devotees. This was followed by the sacred Vishwaroopa Deeparadanai at 1:30 a.m., and the Udhayamarthanda abishekam, Yagasala pooja, and Yagasala Deeparadanai rituals throughout the day.
The Kanda Sashti festival, which began on October 2 with yagasala pooja, spanned six days filled with spiritual fervor. During this period, devotees observed fasting and engaged in continuous prayers, seeking blessings and fulfillment of their wishes.
The ‘Soorasamharam’ event not only underscores the religious importance of the festival but also fosters a deep sense of devotion and community among Murugan’s followers. It stands as a powerful reminder of the victory of righteousness, celebrated annually with grand rituals and unwavering faith.