Tiruchendur Kanda Sashti Festival 2026 Begins on November 10: Soorasamharam on November 15

The annual Kanda Sashti festival at the Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple will begin on November 10, 2026. The six-day festival is one of the major religious events dedicated to Lord Murugan and attracts devotees from different parts of Tamil Nadu.

Tiruchendur is considered the second of Lord Murugan`s six sacred abodes. Special poojas, abhishekams, processions and religious events will be held at the temple throughout the festival.

Kanda Sashti Festival: First Day Schedule – November 10

The festival will begin with special rituals early in the morning.

1:30 AM: Viswaroopa Deeparadhanai

2:00 AM: Udaya Marthanda Abhishekam

5:00 AM: Lord Jayanthinathar arrives at the Yagasalai

7:00 AM: Yagasala pooja and commencement of the Kanda Sashti festival

9:00 AM: Uchikala Abhishekam and Deeparadhanai for the presiding deity

12:00 noon: Deeparadhanai at the Yagasalai

Later, Lord Jayanthinathar, along with Goddess Valli and Goddess Deivanai, will arrive at the Shanmuga Vilasa Mandapam on a golden palanquin. Special Maha Deeparadhanai will be performed there.

In the afternoon, special rituals will continue at the temple. Lord Jayanthinathar and the consorts will then arrive at the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Sashti Mandapam, where abhishekam will be performed with various sacred substances. After the rituals, the deities will take a procession around the temple streets on the golden chariot.

Second to Fifth Day Festival Events

From the second to the fifth day, various poojas and abhishekams will be performed at the temple.

The daily schedule will include Sayaraksha Deeparadhanai for the presiding deity at around 3:30 PM. Lord Jayanthinathar will then arrive at the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Sashti Mandapam along with Goddess Valli and Goddess Deivanai.

Following the rituals, the deities will proceed on the golden chariot through the Giriveethi before returning to the temple.

Soorasamharam on November 15

The important Soorasamharam event will take place on November 15, the sixth day of the festival.

After the Yagasala Deeparadhanai in the morning, Lord Jayanthinathar will arrive at the Shanmuga Vilasa Mandapam with Goddess Valli and Goddess Deivanai. The deities will later proceed to the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Sashti Mandapam.

At around 4 PM, Lord Jayanthinathar will depart for the Soorasamharam event. The traditional Soorasamharam, symbolising Lord Murugan`s victory over the demon Surapadman, will be performed at the seashore.

After the event, Maha Deeparadhanai will be performed for the Lord and the Goddess at the Santhosha Mandapam. The deities will then return to the temple through the Giriprakaram.

Thirukalyanam on November 16

The seventh day of the festival, November 16, will feature the Thirukalyanam celebrations.

At 5 AM, Goddess Deivanai will depart from her shrine for the Thapas darshan event. In the evening, Lord Kumaravidanga Peruman will depart for the garland exchange ceremony.

At around 6 PM, the Lord will appear before Goddess Deivanai, followed by the e traditional exchange of garlands. The divine wedding of Lord Kumaravidanga Peruman and Goddess Deivanai will be performed at night according to Vedic rituals.

Oonjal Seva and Other Festival Events

On November 17, Lord Kumaravidanga Peruman will appear on the golden peacock vehicle, while Goddess Deivanai will arrive on a flower-decorated palanquin for the street procession.

Oonjal Seva will be held at the Thirukalyana Mandapam every evening from November 18 to 20, with Lord Kumaravidanga Peruman and Goddess Deivanai.

On November 21, the festival will conclude with the Manjal Neerattu ceremony. Following the event, the deities will take a street procession and return to the temple.

Devotional Music and Spiritual Programmes

During the Kanda Sashti festival, several cultural and religious programmes will also be organised within the temple premises. Devotional music concerts and spiritual discourses will take place at the temple auditorium for devotees.

Devotees planning to visit the Tiruchendur temple during the festival can take note of the important dates and ritual schedules.