Sūra-saṃhāraṃ or soora-samharam also known as Skanda ṣaṣṭhi or kanda sashti, is the most important festival dedicated to Lord Murugan. Kanda Sashti is observed mainly by Tamil Hindus across the world.

The day of Kanda Sashti is decided based on lunar month and it falls during sixth day of Karthikai Month (Karthikai Masam in Tamil).
During Kanda Sashti, devotees observe six days fasting. which starts from first day or Pirathamai and ends on the sixth day which is known as Soorasamharam day.

Soorasamharam is the final and the most important day of the six days festivities.
It is believed that Lord Murugan defeated Demon Surapadman on the very same day and the festival of Soorasamharam is observed every year to mark the victory of good over evil.

Kanda Sashti celebrations at Thiruchendur Murugan Temple are the most famous one.

The six days celebrations which start from Pirathamai of Aippasi Masam culminate on Soorasamharam day.
Thiru Kalyanam is observed on the next day of Soorasamharam

He is the brother of Singamuka and Tarakasura

Surapadman was the son of Varangi, an apsara and Asura Vajranga. The couple had three sons and two daughters, and then the rishi went to meditate again for centuries.
Hence, the siblings grew up to be Asuras.
Surapadma did a very long penance to Shiva. As a result, he was granted a boon that no one except Shiva's offspring, born without shiva's union with a female, in any nature, could either kill or defeat him.
This boon resulted in a highly negative effect, as Surapadma took it to his head, and he conquered the mortal world, either by direct war, or by subjugation as inferior rulers. He established a capital of empire at Veera Mahendrapuri, two miles into the sea, and gave parts of his vast empire to his brothers.
At the same time his sister's arm was amputated by a guard of the heaven's queen, as the sister was trying to get the queen for Surapadman as a concubine.
This angered surapadman, who then conquered the heaven, and took all devas as prisoners and tortured them.
Shiva had meanwhile created a Son, Murugan also known as Karthikeya, from his forehead flames.
The boy was extremely handsome and well talented with War and all other aspects.
He started to march towards Veera Mahendrapuri, with the mortal army of Veerabagu brothers.
Tarakasura, younger brother of Surapadma, ruling the entrance empire and an asura is killed by Murugan; Murugan had to kill most of Surapadma's soldiers and defeat the middle brother Simhamukha (whom he graced to become His lion vahana).
As Surapadma still refused to surrender, the final battle arose and the former was defeated.
He had lost his weapons, Vehicle and almost all of his army. In the end, Murugan mortally wounded him with his Vel—and Surapadma asked his glory be spared. Murugan granted this, on the provision that Surapadma would forever be his vahana — whereupon Surapadma assumed the form of a peacock.
The killing of Surapadma is celebrated as Surasamharam. The festival of Surasamharam is celebrated grandly in South India, especially in Tiruchendur where it is said that the final battle between Murugan and Surapadma took place.

Anyone can seek a boon from the creation and based on the intensity of focus, and dedication to the goal it will be granted by the Collective Consciousness.
What is to be known that the Collective Consciousness looks at the ‘intention’ and based on its merit of selflessness or selfishness, it sends a counter measure at the appropriate time to undo the boon.

Being selfless and aligning with the laws of nature is the greatest boon one can have!
Happy Soora Samharam.
A day to do course correction and become the vehicle of the lord of the universe.

Whispers of a Wanderer.
30/10/2022
Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahanam)

A perspective of Earth…
When the obscurantist moon clots the view of Sun;
When the shadow snake swallows the Ra;
When Sun, Moon and Earth is in Yogic alignment;

Grahaṇa (eclipse) also means besides seizing and catching,
Receiving and Accepting;
Mentioning, uttering;
Wearing or putting on; an umbra the Sun wears.

An eclipse for a cause,
Sunshine on a pause;
that triggers Understanding, comprehension, knowledge;
of Learning, acquiring, grasping mentally and mastering;

Eclipse, Sun appearing a prisoner, captive…

The blockage not just of light but of sound and echo of the cosmos;

Eclipse, the time moon the feminine aligns in line with Sun the masculine;
Taking by the hand, marrying;
It’s gaining, obtaining, choosing;

It’s equally a process within one’s own body, where the universe is mirrored and mapped;
Aligning body(earth), mind (moon) and intellect within, like at noon, without a shadow, is the purpose of eclipse.

It’s a great reminder to mankind, of the possible dark patch in every life;
Even as the truth is that the self-luminous m ‘soul’ that’s the Sun, can never be veiled;

Eclipse,
praise, respect; assent, agree, accept and align;
Its Inviting, calling, addressing a higher truth.

The Sun’s radiation when obscured, can burn the retinas
leading to even blindness;
Blindness to the truth and science behind constellations’ correlation;

Poisonous and blinding Exposure,
All needs to be guided and guarded.

Eclipse,
a time to respect, and instospgct, align not malign;
A time to pause and find our cause.