Tiruchendur Kanda Sashti
Skanda Sasti: Skanda's Six-Day WarSkanda Sasti was
celebrated in Tamil Nadu and around the world on 31 October to November 7
in 1997. Tiruchendur Murugan was the hands-down favorite
in a colossal match witnessed by upwards of 500,000 devotees on the sixth
day on the sea beach at Tiruchendur. Patrick Harrigan was there and filed
this report:
(Tiruchendur, South India, 6 November) A capacity crowd of half a
million fans gathered here yesterday to witness the heavyweight
championship bout of the year--the annual Tiruchendur Skanda Sasti
Surasamharam. Morning monsoon rains drenched the town but not the
spirits of fans who came to see the hometown favorite -- Lord Senthil Andavar alias Tiruchendur Murugan -- square off against asuran
heavyweight champion Surapadman 'The Titan.'
The afternoon brought overcast skies and cool ocean breeze -- ideal
conditions both for warring parties and for spectators alike. Ample
foresight by police and Devasthanam authorities, combined with the
devotional atmosphere pervading the seabeach battlefield, resulted in the
most peaceful and orderly Surasamharam contest that this correspondent has
ever witnessed at Tiruchendur.
Surapadman arrived on a huge palanquin borne by his henchmen looking every
inch like the next world champion. Standing on the beach before the
Devasthanam, he challenged Śrī Subrahmanya 'The Kid' to battle by firing
the first volley of rockets.
The proud asuran did not have long to wait as Senthil Andavar soon
emerged accompanied by the adoring jubilation of his assembled throng of
gaily-dressed fans and devotees. Looking supremely serene and
self-confident, Swami strode forward and stood his ground as the
challenging army of Surapadman first charged and then ran circles around
Murugan and His gang. One by one the Titan's captains fired live missiles
at Swami and company only to see the missles turn and rush back at them.
Going into the fourth round, the score was Subrahmanya 3, Surapadman 0.
Recognizing that this could be his last chance for glory, the Titan himself
rushed at the Kid but could not come near. Finally to the crowd's delight,
Subrahmanya Swami dealt Surapadman a decisive blow in the fourth round and
the judges ruled it a knockout. Insiders claim that Swami could have killed
Surapadman with a single blow but graciously chose to teach the Titan a
lesson first before transforming him into a fighting cock upon the god's
own battle flag or kodi.
The evening after the big fight, Swami lovingly accepted a new role as
bridegroom to god Indra's own daughter, the brilliant Thevanai Amman. Their
anabashed show of affection during the holy rites melted the hearts of many
veteran observers.
Local tradition explains that after the decisive battle with Surapadman and
His wedding to Teyvanai Amman at Tiruchendur, Śrī Subrahmanya Swami faces
directly towards Sri Lanka before crossing the sea and walking to
Kathirkamam to meet Valli Amma, a girl of the local Vedar hunting
community. Despite Subrahmanya Swami's record of all wins and no defeats,
local oddsmakers say that the doe-eyed princess Valli of Kathirkamam is a
clear favorite. If so, then the All-India Champion Subrahmanya Swami may
finally meet His match in the spirited Vedda maiden Valli Amma.
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