Skanda Shasti

[Eastern Mind]

To all Murugan Bhaktars: Wishing you had an energy filled celebration, which culminated last night.

Because of the nature of the celebration, it is hard to say "Happy Skanda Shasti".

I was fortunate to visit 2 temples this year for it, one in Vancouver, and one here.

Aum Saravanabhava

[TatTvamAsi]

Indeed, wishing all a "Happy Skanda Shasti"! :D

A great song by Nityashree Mahadevan on Skanda Shasti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlaCM8rXAdc

Namaskar.

[Eastern Mind]

TTA:

Nice version and video...Although I don't know the song, I've heard it so many times it seems like it. At the Vancouver temple, the puja lasted about 5 hours, starting with homam at 4:30. We went about 6. Still next day my knees (arthritis) were sore. The group sang the kavacham song while the curtain was closed and the priest was dressing the murthis. Then to my surprise, after the puja finished, before people 'rushed' out to partake of prasadam meal, they all sat down and sang it again. Beautiful spirit. The core group went 6 nights in a row for about 6 hours per night. Sometimes my ego tells me I'm devoted. Usually when I get to that stage, he remionds me how lacking I am by witnessing real sincers devotion.

Aum Saravananabhava

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: This year Skanda Shasti starts on Oct. 27 and runs through to November 1. I'll have yet to figure out how to 'celebrate'. 'Celebrate' isn't really an appropriate word, because the festival is a time of austerity. Fasting, kavadi, and other such things are what Murugan bhaktars do. What's a better word?

Aum Saravanabhava!

[Divine Kala]

Perhaps the word you are looking for is 'observe'? Do you intend partake of the festival (which also isn't the correct word but I can't for the life of me think of one that suits it better)? Because if so than you are 'observing' the rituals of the holy days.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam DK: Yes, observe is a good word. Thanks. Yes, I'll go to temple maybe 3 nights of the 6. Perhaps even all 6. Some sort of penance will be in order as well. My Tamil friends will be singing one particular song, the name of which i forget, but i will be able to recognise it for sure.

Anyone else observe Skanda Shasti?

Aum Namasivaya

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: This year it (Skanda Shasti) started tonight and goes for 5 days only. Here's the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVAta20pU9k Enjoy.

Aum Saravanabhava

[ShivaFan]

Namaste EM and All,


Om SA RA VA NA BHA VA

May the Energy of the Vel come and visit all devotees!

As is said six blessings to every devotee:


Higher Wisdom and Intelligence
Power and Courage
Self-Realization
External and Internal Control for Right Actions and Thoughts
Attraction and Charisma
Soul Serenity and Mental Peace

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_L_NUYSyCips/TNvDpd41f0I/AAAAAAAACDA/Xw7aFJ6Dvbg/s1600/Palani+Murugan+-+Rajaalangaram.jpg

Om Namah Sivaya

[ShivaFan]

Namaste and Blessed Skanda Shasti

This morning I attended the 1030 AM puja and had the Darshan of Muruga at a nearby Shiva Murugan Temple in the SF Bay Area, Yes, I skipped a day of work which was due me anyway to visit and worship at the residence of Skanda ki Jai! The main Skanda Shasti event is this Sunday at 830 AM at the Temple.

http://r.m.yahoo.com/api/res/1.2/biDIbzH2K.t8d3NPW2BYgg--/Y2w9cGhvdG87Zmk9Zml0O2g9NDYwO3c9MzIw/http://efunbox.com/album/Murugan_22.jpg.

Wishing you all TWICE all the energy of The Vel and the blessings of Muruga!

Om Saravanabhava

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam ShivaFan: Looking forward to their expansion there.

Wow. A day off from work to be religious. I'm impressed.

Maybe I will return one day. I went last night here, and will most likely return tonight. Last night was cool because a couple of the 'chief' singers weren't there and a couple more mellow and shy people came forward to lead the bhajan, main song. Made me realise (again) that sometimes the shyest people have the most melodious voices. I can't sing it, but I can sure recognise it.

Been thinking of rolling. Maybe tomorrow AM. Not outside though. Its -6. :)

Aum Namasivaya

[Equinox]

Vannakkam

My family and relatives have always been big on Kanda Shasti. My uncles and grandmother (especially) fast during this festival.

This year I just listen to the Kanda Shasti Kavacham every morning and sing along for the duration of the festival. The Kavacham brings back a lot of fond memories from childhood. Here it is by the Soolamangalam Sisters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RIPz_mP_VI

Their voices just vibrate with energy and every word is pronounced properly to give a great effect. I especially love the last few minutes beginning from the line, "meviya vadivurum velava potri". It plays over and over in my mind.

It was composed by Sri Devaraya Swamigal. Since the Soolamangalam Sisters' rendition of it, a few other singers have sung it in the same tune. All are awesome, though I keep going back to the Soolamangalam Sisters version.

I realise EM has given a link to their song too, but it was only half. My apologies if you think I shouldn't have given the link again. :)


On the 6th day of this festival, the 'Sooran Por' will be enacted in Murugan temples all over the world. This is a grand, energetic enactment where huge statues of Lord Muruga slaying the demons Soorapadman, Simhamukhan, Tarakasuran and another one are paraded around on hand-lifted chariots in a sort of battlefield. Lord Muruga uses the 'vel' or lance given to him by his mother, Parvathi, to slay these demons. At one point, mangoes will be thrown from the statues for devotees to catch.

Here is a very, very short video from the Sri Kandaswamy Temple in Brickfields, Malaysia from 2007:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge8rKXiMA9M



Aum Saravanabhavaya Namah


Aum Namah Shivaya

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: Today is the first day for 2013 ... 6 days this year, for those of you who celebrate, enjoy.

Aum Saravanabhava

[Anirudh]

Namaste EM,

Many TV channels from the south today telecasted Soora Samhaaram live. I watched the celebration telecasted from Thiruchendur. Hope you to enjoyed it.

[Eastern Mind]

Namaste EM,

Many TV channels from the south today telecasted Soora Samhaaram live. I watched the celebration telecasted from Thiruchendur. Hope you to enjoyed it.

Aum Saravanbhavaya,

The very name of Tiruchendur spurs me inward to His Vel. They have a tape there of Aum Saravanabhava that is forever engrained in my memory, and the priest here let me do a round of it this AM.

Last night we had a sponsored Sahasranama Archana, and tonight (last night) Murugan goes on parade. Murugan festivals are just so austere, and beautiful. Difficult to put to words.

Thank you for sharing that. The wonder of TV. Unfortunately, I am not subscribed top any Indian channels.

Aum Namasivaya

[Anirudh]

Namaste EM,



Unfortunately, I am not subscribed top any Indian channels.


I am sad that, Bhakta's like you weren't able to watch but millions here waste their subscription to watch worthless in-laws in fighting tele serials.

I believe devotees may upload the videos in due course of time.

In the mean time found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVvWHdJ-Wo4) link from youtube. This says Skanda Sashti Last Day Rituals - Live Webcast on 8th Nov from 7 PM. I don't know the place as it is not mentioned.

If I come across yesterday's recorded videos of Soora Samhaaram will post the links. As of now publishing these two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyEGRl0G8Kk) 2011 videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4k_5jJH8qU) recorded by some devotee