Soorasamharam

Soorasamharam is celebrated as the last day of the auspicious Skanda Sashti fasting. Skanda Sashti is one of the most important festivals for Tamil Hindus and this day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Murugan. Skanda Sashti fasting is done during the ‘Karthika’ masam in the Tamil calendar and devotees begin their fast from the day of the Karthika lunar month known as ‘Pirathamai’ while the fasting culminated on the sixth day, popularly known as Soorasamharam day. Soorasamharam is the most important and final day of this six day festivities.

The day of Soorasamharam celebrates the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends it is believed that Lord Murugan defeated the demon named Surapadma with his ‘Vel’ and this godly act is called as Soorasamharam. Tamil devotees observe this day with dedication and worship Lord Murugan for restoring Dharam and liberating earth from all evils. The day after Soorasamharam is celebrated as ‘Thirukalyanam’, which is the day when the divine marriage ceremony of Lord Murugan and Devasena took place. The festival of Soorasamharam is celebrated with immense fervour in Lord Murugan temples, most of them being in South India. Of these the festivities at Tiruchendur Murgan Temple is the most splendid and remarkable.

Soorasamharam 2023 is on November 18 Saturday

1 month and 27 days to go for the event

Lord Murugan

Rituals during Soorasamharam:

• The fasting of the Skanda Sashti festival also continues till the day of Soorasamharam. The observer of this vrat can only eat a single meal during the day. The fasting ends on the following day, that is, on ‘Thirukalyanam’.
• Special rituals are held in Lord Murugan temples on this day. Devotees from far and wide come to witness the ‘Abhishekam’ of their deity that is followed by ‘Shringar darshan’.
• In some places like Palani, huge processions of Lord Murugan are taken out from the temple and paraded all through the town.
• On the day of Soorasamharam, in the Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, the divine act of victory of Lord Murugan over Surapadma is re-enacted. This ceremony is witnessed by devotees in thousands of number, from Tamil Nadu and other adjoining states.

Important Timings On Soorasamharam 2023

Significance of Soorasamharam:

Soorasamharam holds special religious significance for Tamilians. The greatness of this day finds mention in Hindu scriptures like the ‘Skanda Purana’. According to the Hindu mythological stories, Surapadma along with other demons defeated the Devas and captured earth. They then started spreading Adhrama everywhere. To put an end to this, Lord Murugan who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, appeared as the commander of the Devas. The battle between Lord Murugan and Surapadma continued for six days and on the last day, Lord Murugan killed Surapadma with his ‘Vel’. From then onwards this event is popularly referred as ‘Soorasamharam’. The celebrations of the day signify the end of all evils.

Soorasamharam festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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