What Does the Legend Say about Soorasamharam Festival?

As the Skanda Purana states, the demon Kings Surapadma, Simhamukha, and Tarakasura created their demons' army, which started attacking the heaven and harassing Gods. These demons were spreading evil all around, and it created havoc in heaven. Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and the Gods-like all prayed to Lord Shiva to resolve the situation and free them from demons' pestering.

 

On the request of all Devas and Gods, Lord Shiva created the God of war who was named Lord Muruga or Karthikey. He became the commander of Devas, and he is also known as a handsome God ever created. This way, Lord Muruga became the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

 

Lord Muruga went forward, and the battle began between Lord Muruga and all three Demon Kings. The battle with Soorapadman continued for six days, and then on the seventh day, all the demon Kings and demons were killed. That is how the day grew into the history that people today celebrate as “Soorasamharam.”

 

When Lord Muruga pierced the body of Surapadma with the Vel, given by his mother Parvati, the demon turned into a huge mango tree. Lord then split the tree into two parts: one part became the peacock, and another appeared as a cock. Lord Muruga then chose peacock to mount on, and the cock as his flag. Since then, Lord Muruga always appears with his peacock and the flag in his hands.

 

Celebrating Soorasamharam

 

The day is celebrated six days, majorly in South India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. One of the major celebrations in South India, Tamil Nadu, happens in TiruchendurMurugan Temple.

 

The day is of great significance at Tiruchendur Lord Muruga Temples, where people every year in the month of Kartik memorize the victory of Muruga over the demons. They celebrate all the six days and the day of Lord Muruga’s marriage after the triumph over the Demon Kings.

 

People decorate the whole temple and Lord Muruga. They observe fast for all six days and conclude it on the last day. As per the ritual, people can have one meal in a day while avoiding all the non-vegetarian foods and tamasic foods like onions and garlic. Throughout the town, the procession of Lord Muruga happens, and the entire Tamil Nadu seems to be immersed with joy. 

 

That is how the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is one of the six significant temples in Tamil Nadu. In the evening at Thiruchendur, the show depicting the war between the Lord Muruga and Soorapadman takes place on the seashore. All of the preparation and events during these six days attract thousands of devotees from all around South India.

 

The whole place becomes so full of devotion that people get awestruck, and they feel blessed for witnessing such a festival. The chant of “VelVetriVel” by the devotees in harmony fills people with enough devotion that it brings them into tears.

 

The birth of Skanda or Muruga

 

It is believed that after his son Ganesha, Lord Shiva created Muruga. Lord Shiva threw six sparks from his third eye, which went to the river Ganga which then carried to the River Saravana.

 

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati then witnessed these six sparks as six children. Goddess Parvati embraced all those six children that were later created as one child and named Muruga or Karthikey. Since that time, Lord Muruga is presented as having six heads.

 

There are several other legends too behind the incarnation of Lord Muruga. One of these says, on the request of Devas and Gods to Kama Deva, he made Shiva marry Parvati. While making love, Lord Shiva’s semen fell on the ground, which then got blew by Vayu Deva into the river Ganga and then into the river Saravana.

 

There the semen took the form of six children. Maa Parvati found these children and turned them into one which we know as Lord Muruga. Many other legends depict the birth of Lord Muruga; however, these are the famous ones.

 

So, to get the blessings of Muruga and celebrate their victory over the demonic powers, devotees conduct the festival. This year’s Soorasamharam will be celebrated on the 20th of November.