24/10/2025
Kanda Shashti: The Sacred Festival of Devotion at Nallur Kovil
Jaffna, Sri Lanka – The skies over Jaffna are once again adorned with fervent devotion as devotees gather to celebrate Kanda Shashti, one of the most revered festivals dedicated to Lord Murugan, the beloved Hindu deity of valor, wisdom, and youth. This annual celebration, observed on the sixth day (Shashti) of the waxing moon in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October–November), draws thousands of pilgrims from across Sri Lanka and beyond to the iconic Nallur Kovil.
Significance of Kanda Shashti
Kanda Shashti commemorates the divine victory of Lord Murugan over the demon Surapadman, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. For devotees, it is a time for spiritual purification, penance, and reaffirmation of faith. Fasting, prayer, and acts of charity are believed to help devotees overcome personal obstacles and attain divine blessings. Lord Murugan, also known as Skanda or Kartikeya, is venerated as the eternal protector, and this festival highlights his role as the vanquisher of negativity in the world and in individual lives.
Rituals and Traditions
The celebration of Kanda Shashti is marked by a six-day period of fasting (Vratham) and devotional practices, culminating in the dramatic Soorasamharam — a ritual re-enactment of Murugan’s victory over Surapadman. Devotees observe strict discipline, abstaining from non-vegetarian food and alcohol, and engage in continuous chanting of hymns such as the Kanda Shasti Kavasam, a sacred prayer invoking Murugan’s protection.
Special poojas (ceremonial worship) are conducted at temples, with abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity) using milk, honey, sandal paste, and flowers. Devotional music, bhajans, and processions with the deity’s statue attract crowds, creating an atmosphere of spiritual fervor and community unity.
Nallur Kovil: The Heart of the Celebration in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Nallur Kovil, the historic temple located in Jaffna, is the epicenter of Kanda Shashti festivities. Renowned for its towering gopurams (ornate gateways) and vibrant murals, the temple comes alive with thousands of devotees who participate in elaborate rituals over the six-day period.
The highlight at Nallur is undoubtedly the Soorasamharam, performed with great theatricality, featuring a life-sized idol of Surapadman and a ceremonial display of Murugan’s divine weapon, the Vel. Devotees watch with bated breath as the symbolic battle unfolds, followed by a collective offering of gratitude and prayers for protection, prosperity, and spiritual strength.
The festival also fosters cultural cohesion, with devotees, priests, and volunteers working together to organize feasts, charitable offerings, and processions that preserve Tamil Hindu traditions while strengthening community bonds.
A Time of Devotion and Renewal
Kanda Shashti at Nallur Kovil is not merely a religious event; it is a spiritual odyssey for devotees, combining faith, discipline, and celebration. For many, the festival serves as a reminder that perseverance, devotion, and righteousness will always triumph over adversity — echoing the eternal lesson of Lord Murugan’s victory over Surapadman.
As the temple bells toll and the chants fill the air, devotees leave with hearts uplifted and spirits renewed, carrying the blessings of Lord Murugan into the year ahead.
