With the ‘yagasalai puja’ and thousands of devotees converging at Tiruchendur from various parts of the country as well as other countries to begin their fast, the ‘Kanda Sashti’ festival commenced in this holy town, the second abode of Lord Muruga, on Thursday.
After the temple was opened at 1 a.m., ‘Vishwaroopa deeparadhanai’ was performed at 1.30 a.m., which was followed by ‘Udhaya Marthaanda abhishekam’ at 2 a.m.
After Swami Jayanthinathar arrived at the ‘yagasalai’ at 5.45 a.m. along with Valli and Deivanai, ‘yagasalai’ puja was performed to mark the commencement of the festival.
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After taking a holy dip in the sea, thousands of devotees, who had gathered at Tiruchendur for the Sashti festival from various parts of the country and also from Sri Lanka and Malaysia, began their ‘Sashti fasting’ on Thursday.
The highlight of the annual feat, ‘Soorasamhaaram,’ would be enacted on the beach at 4.30 p.m. on November 17.
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‘Kanda Sashti’ festival also commenced in all Murugan temples in the district, including Kurukkuthurai Murugan Temple and the Salaikumarasamy Temple in Tirunelveli Junction.