People witnessing the Soorasamharam event near the Subramaniya Swamy temple in Tiruchendur.
| Photo Credit: N. RAJESH
The shores of Tiruchendur witnessed a sea of people, as lakhs of devotees gathered at the Subramaniya Swamy temple in Tiruchendur for the Soorasamharam event held on Monday.
Among the six abodes of Lord Murugan, Tiruchendur, the second abode is renowned for the Kanda Sashti festival, which attracts lakhs of devotees every year. This year’s festival began on October 22. Its key event is Soorasamharam, which happens on the sixth day. The event involves Lord Jeyanthinathar slaying the demon Soorpadhman, which symbolises triumph of good over evil.
On Monday, the temple doors opened at 1 a.m., which was followed by special pujas, including Viswaroopa dharshan and Udhayamarthanda abishekam. Around 6 a.m. pujas at yaagasala began, where Lord Jeyanthinathar arrived for the rituals. After 1 p.m Lord Jeyanthinathar, in the chariot arrived at Shamugavilasa Mandapam, with an accompaniment of traditional music and devotional hymns.
By 2 p.m., abishekam and other rituals were performed for Lord Jeyanthinathar at the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam’s Sashti Mandapam. By 4.30 p.m, Lord Jeyanthinathar in a warrior form appeared in Tiruchendur seashore to slay demon Soorpadhman. This year to chants of “Vetrivel Muruganukki Arohara; Veeravel Muruganukku Arohara” filled the seashore. After the event, devotees took a holy dip in the sea and ended their fasts.
Following Soorasamharam, Lord Jeyanthinathar, along with goddesses Valli and Deivayanai, were taken to the Santhosha Mandapam, where Deeparadhana was performed.
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P. K. Sekarbabu, HR&CE Commissioner P.N. Sridhar, Thoothukudi Collector K. Elambahavath, and other officials were present. In view of the arrival of a large number of devotees, around 4,300 police personnel were deployed as part of security arrangements. The arrangements were supervised by ADGP (cyber crime) Sandeep Mittal, South Zone IG Prem Anand Sinha, Tirunelveli range DIG Santosh Hadimani, and Thoothukudi SP Albert John.
Published – October 27, 2025 11:20 pm IST
