Soorasamharam ritual in Tiruchendur on November 5

The Sri Subramanya Swamy temple at Tiruchendur is one among the six abodes of Lord Muruga and Kandha Shashti festival is the most famous of all the festivals celebrated at the shrine. Every year, lakhs of devotees turn up for this festival to witness the Soorasamharam and also to fulfil their vows to the Lord. The Soorasamharam ritual will be held around 4.30 pm on November 5. The yagasala pujas will begin at 6 am. Abishekam for Jayantinathar at the Tiruvavaduturai Sashti Mantapam will be performed at 2 p.m. after which the deity will leave for Soorasamharam.

Tirukkalyanam will take place on November 6 around 11.45 a.m. The utsava deities will be placed on Oonjal (swing) from November  8 to 10. Tirumurai and Kandar Kalivenba will be recited at 5 am on all days during the festival.

Even though elaborate arrangements were made for the devotees coming to attend the festival, some pilgrims regretted that adequate measures were not initiated with regard to rooms and toilets. They lamented that priority should have been given to sanitation facilities within the town. Movement of a large number of stray dogs in the locality was another issue raised by the pilgrims.