Palani Murugan Temple – Kanda Sashti Festival
This
is a very important festival at Palani, during the 6 days in the month of
Aippasi (7th Tamil month). This is based on the mythological story of Lord
Muruga killing the demons. On this day only (once in a year) the Lord comes
down the Hill, and after vanquishing the demons, ascends the Hill again. This
is associated with Kandha Shasti. The four demons (Gajamugan, Tharagan,
Singamugan and Surapadman) are won by the Lord. It is a grand sight to see the
dramatic representation of this. On this day devotees observe total fasting as
they consider that this will offset all their sins.
Sashti
or sixth day of the full moon and the sixth day of the new moon are favorite
days for Lord Muruga. Several devotees of Muruga observe partial or full fast
on each Sashti day and throughout the Kanda Sashti period.
The
Sashti falling in on the waxing moon period in the month of Aippasi
(October-November) is the day on which Muruga is believed to have killed a
super-demon called Sura Padman. This is commemorated in the six-day festival of
Kanda Sashti as a symbol of perpetual destruction of evil by God.
Skanda
Sasti, the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Aippasi, is celebrated
in Saivite temples all over Tamilnadu, and with an extra measure of grandeur in
temples dedicated to Subramanya. Skanda Sasti commemorates the destruction of
evil by the Supreme General Kartikeya, son of Shiva, and is celebrated with the
dramatic enactment of Soora Samharam.
Each
of these six days is, by custom, set apart to recite the glory of Muruga from
one of the six scriptures in His praise—Tirumurukatrupadai, Kandar Kalivenba,
Kandar Anubhuti, Kandar Alankaram, Kanda Sashti Kavacam, and Kanda Puranam. Giant-sized
images of four asuras are moved on uplifted chariots and these encountered and
destroyed by the Lord.
For
this festival and for this only, the Utsava deity of Chinnakumarar comes down
from the hill temple, kills the asuras at four direction corners while on a
festive procession round the hill and triumphantly returns to his abode in the
hill. This is on the sixth day, i.e. Sashti day. All the other events of the
festival take place in the hill temple.
On
the seventh day, Muruga marries Valli. This divine marriage is celebrated both
in the hill temple and in the Periyanayaki Temple.
