Soorasamharam Festival - Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur

The Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple is located in Tiruchendur. The temple is also one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Every year during the Tamil month of Karthikai (in between the months of October and November) the temple celebrates a spectacular traditional 6-day event showing Lord Murugan defeating the evil Asura. According to the Hindu ures like the "Skanda Purana", the festival is celebrated to embark on the virtue of good over evil. The Purana states that Lord Surapadma, revered as the demon king conquered the world and spread Adharma (non-righteousness). As a result Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, led the Devas in a conflict with the forces of evil in order to prevent chaos from spreading over the earth. Surapadma was killed during this terrible conflict, which lasted six days and was brought about by Lord Murugan's supernatural spear (Vel). Consequently, this event has earned the appellation "Soorasamharam" in the Hindu culture. The celebrations held on this day honour this heavenly triumph and disseminate the idea that virtue will ultimately triumph over evil. Every year lakhs of devotees throng this temple to celebrate this spiritual occasion. The temple also organises poojas, homams and abishegams to commemorate the festival. On the final day of the festival, the “Utsava Moorthy”(procession deity)is carried around the temple with millions of devotees parading along the procession.