Sūrasaṃhāram 1976

Soora Samharam (சூரசம்ஹாரம்) is the sixth and greatest day of the Kanda Sashti festival, the day of Skanda Shashti. On it Lord Murugan destroyed the demon Surapadman and his brothers, who had tormented the gods.

Armed with the Vel given by his mother Parvati, Murugan met the demon at the shore. Surapadman took many forms and at last became a great mango tree; the Vel split it in two, and the halves became the peacock, his mount, and the rooster on his banner. The demon was not destroyed but saved.

At Tiruchendur the battle is enacted on the seashore before vast crowds, and at Thiruparankundram, Palani, Swamimalai and every Murugan temple. Devotees who have fasted for the six days break the fast after the Samharam, and the next day the Lord weds Deivanai in the Thirukalyanam.