Thousands of devotees throng Tirupparankundram temple for ‘Soorasamharam’

Thousands of devotees thronged Sri Subramaniyaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram in Madurai on Monday to witness ‘Soorasamharam’, the annihilation of the demon, as part of the Kanda Sashti festival.

The presiding deity of the temple, mounted on a golden palanquin, was taken out on a procession, to enact ‘Soorasamharam’. The deity came out of the temple for the procession at around 5 p.m. The deity was led by His lieutenant Veerabahu who was mounted on a white horse on another palanquin.

Subsequently, the annihilation of ‘asura’ by the Lord with the holy lance or ‘vel,’ obtained from Govardhana Ambigai was enacted after 6 p.m. at Sannadhi Theru in front of Chokkanathar Temple amidst the chants of ‘Arohara.’ by devotees. Priests at the temple explained ‘Soorasamharam’ and the significance of the event to the devotees who had gathered on streets leading to the temple.

The event marked the triumph of good over evil. Devotees had come from far and near to witness the event and were chanting holy hymns praising Lord Muruga. Special pujas and deeparadhanas were performed to the deities. The devotees who observed fasting for the festival ended their fast by serving ‘prasadam’.

Adequate police personnel were deployed for the smooth conduct of the event. ‘Thirukalyanam,’ the celestial wedding, will take place on Tuesday. On the concluding day, devotees would pull the decorated chariot on which the Lord would be mounted, along the car streets. Special abhishekams would be performed at the temple. Earlier, the Kanda Sashti festival at the temple began with the tying of the ‘Kappu’.