Thousands witness ‘Soorasamharam’ at Subramanian Swamy Temple in Thiruparankundram

Thousands of devotees witness 'Soorasamharam' in Madurai, marking the highlight of week-long 'Kanda Sashti' celebrations. Devotees throng temple, traffic police struggle to regulate movement. 'Soorasamharam' showcases triumph over evil, celebrations held in night. Devotees line up to start fast for Sabarimala shrine.

Chanting “Vetrivel Murugannukku Aroharaa”, thousands of devotees from far and near witnessed the ‘Soorasamharam’, the highlight of the week-long ‘Kanda Sashti’ celebrations held at Sri Subramanian Swamy Temple at Thiruparankundram in Madurai on Saturday.

The HR & CE Department officials said that special pujas and aradhanas had been conducted since November 13, the beginning of the ‘Kanda Sashti’ with tying of the traditional “kaapu” on the deities.

During the festival days, the deities were taken out on procession.

On Saturday (November 18), the Viswaroopa darshan was held at 4 a.m. At noon, the priests performed the ‘uchikala’ puja and at 1.30 p.m., the ‘sayaratcha’ puja was conducted following which the ‘Soorasamharam’ was enacted amidst a huge turnout of devotees.

The ‘Soorasamharam,’ which was conducted at around 6.30 p.m., showcased triumph over evil and after the war was won, celebrations were held in the night.

Devotees started thronging the temple since 3 p.m. and after the ‘Soorasamharam’ concluded at around 6.45 p.m., traffic moved at a snail’s pace. Vehicle movement was halted till Periyar bus stand and commuters were caught in the Palanganatham junction for long hours as buses did not turn up. The police had to divert many vehicles from southern side on TPK Road to take the bypass road as Vasantha Nagar, Madura College Road and others faced heavy traffic.

Devotees also turned up in large numbers at the Murugan Temple in Netaji Road intersection and also at the Rajaji Park near Gandhi Memorial Museum to witness the ‘Soorasamharam’.