Surasamharam (Tamil: சூரசம்ஹாரம், romanized: Sūrasaṃhāram),[1][2] also called Suranporu, is a Hindu ritual folk performance that recreates the legend of the killing of asuras by the deity Murugan. It is the culmination of the week-long Kanda Shasthi Vratam festival.[3] It is performed mainly in Tamil Nadu. It is also celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Lanka, and the district of Palakkad in Kerala at temples dedicated to Murugan. This festival falls in the month of either Aippasi or Kartikai of the Tamil calendar.[4] In the lunisolar calendar, Surasamharam falls on the 6th day on the bright half (Shukla Paksha) phase of the Kartika lunar month, just 6 to 7 days after Diwali. Most South Indians celebrate Surasamharam as part of the 6 day fast known as Maha Skanda Sashti, starting from the day after Diwali up through the 6th day. On the day after Surasamharam, also known as Thirukalyanam, where it is believed that Lord Murugan marries Valli and Devayanai. Most people who choose to observe their fast will typically break it after observing the sacred marriage performed at a temple.
| Surasamharam | |
|---|---|
 Festival image of Murugan during a procession | |
| Also called | Kanda Shashti |
| Observed by | Tamil Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Significance | Victory of Murugan over the asuras |
| Date | Aippasi or Kartikai month of the Tamil calendar |
| 2023 date | 18 November (Saturday) |
| 2024 date | 7 November (Thursday) |
| Frequency | Annual |
Hindu festival dates The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta. If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. A lunar year is shorter than a solar year by about eleven days. As a result, most Hindu festivals occur on different days in successive years on the Gregorian calendar. | |
Description
editThe Surasamharam performance is based on the legend of Murugan, also known as Kanda, as described in the Kanda Purana. In the days preceding the performance, the Kanda Purana is narrated in the temple. The performance ends with the killing of Surapadman and his allies, which is depicted through the symbolic beheading of the four asuras of Anamugan, Panumugan, Simhamugan, and Surapadman by Murugan, employing his divine spear, known as the vel.[3] For the performance the vel is specially consecrated; during the staging of the show, it is ceremonially placed on the neck of the effigy, after which the head is removed, depicting the beheading of the asura.[3]
Surasamharam is preceded by several ceremonies on the last day of the Kanda Shashti festival. Special pujas are conducted and the deity of Murugan is ritually anointed in the ritual of abhishekam. Devotees are offered an auspicious sight of the deity, called a darshana. In some parts of Tamil Nadu, devotees observe a six-day fast, which they break at the end of the Surasamharam. In Palani, a procession of Murugan (locally called the Dandayuddhapani) is taken down from the Palani Murugan Temple and led through the main thoroughfares of the town before the Surasamharam.[5]
At the Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, six days of celebrations for Kanda Shashti start from the tithi of the Aippasi month, culminate on the day of Surasamharam. The performance of the tiru kalyanam, the ceremonial wedding ceremony of the deity and his consorts, is observed on the day following the Surasamharam.[4]
In Tamil Nadu, the Surasamharam is witnessed every year by large crowds of devotees. The state government and Indian Railways ply special buses and trains to facilitate their travel.[6] In Kerala's Palakkad district, Surasamharam, is held in all the major Tamil settlements in the district.
References
edit- ^ Aruljothi, C.; Ramaswamy, S. (7 June 2019). Pilgrimage Tourism: Socio-economic analysis. MJP Publisher. p. 170.
- ^ J.K. BANTHIA (1995). Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District. p. 125.
- ^ a b c "The fall of demons". The Hindu. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ a b "2021 Skanda Sashti, Kanda Sashti dates for New Delhi, NCT, India".
- ^ "Dhandapani Murugan Kovil". Tamilnadu.com. 5 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013.
- ^ "Thousands of devotees witness Soorasamharam". The Hindu. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2013.