Chennai, Nov 15 Chanting hymns and observing strict fasts, lakhs of devotees thronged Lord Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu on Sunday to witness the ‘Soorasamharam’ ritual, the climactic event of the six-day Kanda Sashti festival.
Large crowds gathered at Tiruchendur, as well as at major shrines in Palani, Swamimalai and Chennai.
The festival commemorates the mythological battle in which Lord Murugan, armed with the ‘Vel’ (spear) gifted by his mother Goddess Parvati, vanquished the demon king Surapadman.
The victory of light over evil is celebrated with great fervour across the state, particularly at the ‘Arupadaiveedu’, the six abodes of the deity.
At the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur in Tuticorin district, the epicentre of the celebrations, crowds gathered along the shoreline.
Devotees took a holy dip in the sea in the early hours before converging at the temple.
“Just stepping on the soil of this sacred town has the power to change one’s destiny,” Kavitha, a devotee from Chennai who kept to a milk-only diet during her fast, told PTI Videos.
Selvamuthu, another pilgrim, said he had undertaken the rigorous penance seeking divine intervention to overcome severe debt and family struggles.
Narendra Kumar, a private sector employee from Vellore, spoke of the impact the shrine had had on his life. “The spiritual experiences here over the last three years have completely transformed my personal life. Despite my failing health, I had to come to witness this,” he told PTI Videos.
The turnout also showed the effect of recent infrastructure upgrades. Pattapazhani, president of the Koyambedu Traders Association, said the improvements had eased the hardships of devotees.
“We must thank HCL founder Shiv Nadar, who contributed Rs 200 crore to upgrade the temple facilities. It has vastly reduced the hardships of devotees and brought us immense joy,” he told PTI Videos. He added that the administration should expand restroom facilities to cater to the growing footfall.
To manage the crowds, police personnel kept a high vigil and used continuous public address announcements to reunite missing children with their families and to caution the public to safeguard their valuables.
In Dindigul district, the Thiru Avinankudi Murugan Temple at the foothills of Palani saw fervent celebrations.
Thousands of devotees observed the traditional ‘Thandu Viratham’, an arduous penance undertaken on Soorasamharam day. The temple town echoed with chants of ‘Vetrivel Muruganukku Arohara’ as devotees in traditional attire took out processions.
In Kumbakonam, the Swamimalai Murugan Temple, revered as the fourth of the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan, drew large numbers of worshippers.
Special ‘abhishekams’ and poojas were performed for the presiding deity from dawn, and devotional music reverberated through the corridors as the crowds awaited the evening rituals.
In Chennai, thousands descended on the Vadapalani Murugan Temple. Queues spilt onto arterial roads, but devotees said the police and the temple administration had made adequate arrangements for queue management and security.
“There is a significantly heavier crowd this year compared to previous times, but the police have provided adequate security, and devotees are very happy with the arrangements,” Rajesh, a devotee from Arani, told PTI Videos.
Special provisions for the elderly were highlighted in the city. Shanthi from Ramapuram, who joined the queue at 7 am, said, “The free darshan and Rs 100 ticket queues are being strictly followed. They are even allowing an attendant to accompany senior citizens inside, which is very helpful.”
Later in the day, the Soorasamharam was enacted at Murugan temples across the state. The ritual draws its largest audience at Tiruchendur, where the epic battle between Murugan and the demon armies of Surapadman is believed to have taken place on the seashore.
For many devotees, the enactment is an emotional experience. Sushmitha, a devotee from Chennai who was observing the fast for the third consecutive year, said, “When the deity comes forward during the Soorasamharam, tears just roll down your eyes, and it gives you goosebumps.”
The six-day Kanda Sashti observances will conclude with the ‘Thirukalyanam’ (celestial wedding) of Lord Murugan on Monday.
Observed in the Tamil month of Aipasi, Soorasamharam, or Suranporu, marks the culmination of the Sashti fast and is commemorated with re-enactments of the battle at Murugan temples.
(PTI News)
