This festive season, people who are spiritually inclined
would taste the essence of fasting during these important days. The day
after Deepavali, women fast and pray to Goddess Mahalakshmi. From the next day
of Deepavali, starts the Skandha Shashti Vratham which is observed
for 6 days.
Skandha Shashti Vratham is connected to the mythological
incident in which Lord Karthikeya aka Murugan (the younger son of Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvathi) faces Soorapadman
in the war front and destroys him in the battle.
When we talk about Soora Samharam, automatically
Thiruchendur comes to our mind. Soora Samharam festival is
celebrated in a grand manner in Thiruchendur because it is the place where Lord
Karthikeya destroyed the demonic king Soora Padman and also it is the second
most important temple among the 6 temples (Aarupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan in
Thamizh Nadu. Excluding Thiruthani, all other 5 temples among the aarupadai
veedu celebrates Soora Samharam festival.
This festival is celebrated based on the Skandha
Puranam authored by Sri Kachiyapa Shivachariyar.
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| Valli Devasena Sametha Sri Swaminatha Swamy, Uttara Swamimalai, Malai Mandir, New Delhi |
Nava Veerargal (Nine warriors)
When 6 droplets of fire came out of Lord Shiva’s
third eye, Goddess Parvathi ran away from Lord Shiva in fear. Navaratnas from
her anklet fell down and turned into 9 women. Each women gave birth to one veer.
- Manikkavalli gave birth
to Veerabhaaguthevar
- Muthuvalli gave birth to
Veerakesari
- Pushpagaragavalli gave
birth to Veeramagendhirar
- Gomedhaga Valli gave
birth to Veeramageshwarar
- Vaiduriya Valli gave
birth to Veeraapurandhirar
- Vaira Valli gave birth to
Veeraratchagar
- Maragathavalli gave birth
to Veeramarthandavar
- Pavalavalli gave birth to
Veerandhagar
- Indhiravalli gave birth
to Veeradheeran.
Veerabhagu is the leader of these nine warriors who
went as a messenger to Soorapadman and gave Vishwaroopa dharshan.
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| Lord Karthikeyan Throwing spear at the Mango tree form of Sooran |
Soora Samharam Drama
Next day to Deepavali is Amavasai (new moon day).
10 members will tie bracelet (Kaapu) and observe fast. One of them will be Lord
Karthikeya and the remaining will be the nine warriors. When Lord Karthikeya
leaves on a promenade, these 10 people will walk before the deity. They will be
wearing a turban. Their suit will be touching the ground, also they wear
wreath. They also carry weapons and will be walking bravely and exclaiming
“Hara”. They will also be singing songs on lord Karthikeya and Shathrusamhara
padhigam.
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| Thiruchendur Soora Samharam Celebrations |
Vel (Spear) Giving Ceremony
Vel giving ceremony is held on the 5th
day of Soora Samharam festival. Lord Karthikeya will be getting his spear from
Goddess Parvathi. The person who plays the role of Lord Karthikeya will be
going to Amman’s shrine (Goddess Parvathi’s shrine) along with the nine others
who plays the nine warriors’ role. Lord Karthikeya’s utsava moorthy will also
go behind him. Lord Murugan will pray to Goddess Parvathi, then she will give
the Vel (Spear) and then she will bless him. Simultaneously they will be
conveying this information in the form of songs.
There will be 2 spears kept at the Amman’s shrine.
The priest of the temple will keep one spear at the utsava moorthy and other
one will be given to the person who plays the role of Lord Karthikeya. After
that promenade will begin.
Sweating Karthikeyan (Viyarvai Sindhum Velar)
While getting the spear from Goddess Parvathi,
Lord Karthikeya’s idol (Vigraham) is found to be sweating. This spiritual
wonder is witnessed in the Singaravelan’s temple located in Sikkal of
Nagapattinam district. Sikkal Singaravelan’s temple is famous for this
miraculous incident. There’s also a proverb based on this event on Thamizh i.e.,
“Sikkalil vel vangi Chenduril samharam” (In English – Getting spear in Sikkal
and destroying at Thiruchendur).
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| Sikkal Singaravelan Sweating Utsava Moorthy |
Final day
On the evening of sixth day, Soora Samharam
happens. Lord Murgan will depart along with the nine warriors. That time others
will bring the Soorapadman’s puppet made of hay and other things. In some old
murugan temples wooden toy of Soorapadman will be made.
Soorapadman will come along with his sons
Bhanugovan, Thaaragan and Singhamugan. Some people will play all these roles in
the drama of Soora Samharam. They’ll sing the praises of Soorapadman like he
conquered the Devas, imprisoning Jayanthan etc.
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| Thiruchendur Murugan Temple |
After that Lord Karthikeya will arrive in Horse
car. Nine warriors will also arrive with Lord Murugan. When Lord Karthikeya and
Soorapadman face each other, the war will begin. Then all the incidents will be
played by the drama artists.
Ajomukhi who has the goat head will arrive.
Sastha will stop her. Indira dev’s son will be imprisoned by Sooran’s son. Then
the fight will get intense. Veerabhagu will cut off Tharagan who has the head
of an elephant. After that Veerabhagu will win over Ajamugan, Singhamugan and
Kodimugan.
At last Soorapadman will come. Veerabhagu and
Lord Murugan will fight him. Soorapadman will transform as a mango tree. Lord
Karthikeya will attack with his spear. Then the screen will be closed as
Soorapadman will transform into peacock and rooster after the destruction of
his demon form. Then they will be dancing and bringing the puppets of peacock
and rooster. After that Aarathi will take place followed by abhishekam and
promenade will begin.
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| Thiruchendur Murugan |
This is how the drama of Soora Samharam will
happen in all the temples of Lord Karthikeya where Skandha Shashti is
celebrated. In some temples, only Soorapadman will be destroyed. In some
temples Soora samharam will be followed by Devasena and Valli marriage.
Happy Skandha Shashti!!!
Yours East Gaterr
Content from Bhakthi Malar - Dina Malar and images from Google and divineinfoguru.com
