Kandha Shasti
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Kandha Shasti is a Shaivites festival celebrated to commemorate Lord Muruga's triumph over Surapadma. The festival takes place for six days (the same duration as the war between Muruga and Surapadma) usually during the Tamil month of Aipassi, just after Diwali. Shaivites celebrate these six days by fasting (see Skanda Shasti Virtham). The festival is predominantly celebrated by Tamils all over the world. Soorasamharam is re-enacted in all major Muruga temples in the world and it is celebrated very grand at the shores of Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur where it is believed the actual battle took place.
Good triumphs over Evil[edit]
On the last day (sixth day) also known as soorasamharam day of the battle, Lord Muruga uses his spear to split Surapadama who turned into a mango tree. One half of the tree became a rooster and another half a peacock. Then Lord Muruga takes the rooster as his flag and the peacock as his vehicle. This event is described in Skanda Purana.
According to Saiva Siddhanta, Surapadma and his brothers Singamuka and Tarakasura are considered to be the embodiment of arrogance, evil actions and illusion. These three are known to torture ones soul, and to be free of them, one has to leave it at the feet of the Lord, which is what soorasamharam signifies.
Fasting[edit]
People celebrate the festival by fasting for six days. There is no one way to fast, some eat only one meal a day, some eat only salt-less food, some take only fluids, and some take only fruits.
See also[edit]
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