Devotees throng Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu for Kanda Sashti festival

Large numbers of devotees are gathering at famous Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu to offer prayers for the Kanda Sashti festival.

Festival Events

The festival started with a flag-hoisting ceremony on November 10 at temples including Tiruchendur, Palani, and Tiruttani. Lord Jayanthinathar arrived at the yagasalai in Tiruchendur alongside Valli and Deivanai on Saturday morning, where special abhishekam and alankaram rituals took place alongside kumbams. Afternoon rituals included the midday abhishekam for the main deity, deeparadhanai, and a maha deeparadhanai at the yagasalai. Special prayers also took place at Palani and Vadapalani in Chennai.

Surasamharam

The main event of the festival, Surasamharam, takes place today, November 15. The Tiruchendur temple doors opened early at 1 AM for viswaroopa darisanam and regular daily prayers, followed by the Surasamharam event at 4 PM on the temple beach. Local and out-of-town devotees are flocking to the temple for the occasion.

Temple Arrangements

Crowds of devotees are standing in long queues at Chennai temples like Vadapalani, Thiruporur, Siruvapuri, and Panruti for darisanam. Vadapalani temple arranged a separate queue for devotees carrying milk pots and kavadi, alongside dedicated lines for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.

Context

Kanda Sashti is a major annual festival dedicated to Lord Murugan where devotees often observe strict fasts and spiritual practices. Tamil Nadu has numerous ancient and prominent hill shrines dedicated to Lord Murugan that draw massive crowds during major festival days.