Soorasamharam At Tiruchendur !!
Soorasamharam is the 6th day of the Kanda Sashti Vratham. It is the final and the most important day of the 6-day festival that is dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is believed that Lord Murugan defeated the Demon Surapadman with His Divine Vel (Lance) on the very same day and so the festival of Soorasamharam is observed every year to mark the victory of good over evil.
Kanda Sashti Vratham falls on the sixth day of the new Moon phase of the lunar month of Aippasi (Aswin) that occurs between months of October- November. During this, devotees observe six days fasting which starts from the first day or Prathamai and ends on the sixth day which is known as Soorasamharam day. It is important to note that the day when Sashti Tithi conjugates with Panchami Tithi is chosen for Soorasamharam Vratam.
Kanda Sashti and the Soorasamharam celebrations at Tiruchendur Murugan Temple is one of the most famous ones. Lakhs of devotees gather at the Muruga temple in Tiruchendur to witness ‘Soorasamharam,’ the highlight of the annual Kanda Sashti festival.
On the day of Soorasamharam, the Tiruchendur Murugan temple will be opened at 1 AM.
Temple Pooja Timings:
Vishwaroopa Deeparathanai – 1.30 AM
Udaya Marthanada Abishekam – 2.00 AM
Uchikala Abishekam – 9:00 AM
Sayaratcha Deeparathani – 1 PM
Other Yaga sala poojas will continue till 4 PM.
Soorasamharam, the total destruction of Soorapadman by Lord Muruga, will be enacted near the Beach at 4.30 PM. Huge effigies of the demons Aana Mahaa Sooran, Singa Mughan, Banu Gopan, and Soora Padman are carried by devotees. Idols of Lord Veera Baahu and Lord Bala Subrahmanian and Lord Kalyana Subrahmanian are carried in separate chariots. The whole battle and the final fall of the demon Soorapadman will be enacted. This ritual will last for almost Three hours.
Extensive arrangements will normally be made by the temple and the district administration to ensure that the devotees witness this enactment with peace and comfort.
