My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
Living as close to the eastern express highway as we do, it comes as a surprise to see the many birds and the peace that pervades through our colony. For all practical purposes, it is like a small village, a parallel highlighted by the state of the roads inside, a permanent bone of contention between the residents and the BMC (the Municipal Corporation). However, yesterday, our colony literally took on the atmosphere of a village in celebration, when the Subramanya Mutt in our complex conducted its annual Kanda Shashti Mahotsavam.
To give a small introduction, Kanda Shashti is an auspicious day for Muruga, the son of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Skanda. This is the day the young warrior lord is said to have defeated the arch enemy of the Devas – Surapadman, the lord of the demons.
The story of Karthikeya
According to the legend, the demon lord Surapadman along with his brothers Tarakasuran and Simhamukhan defeated the Devas and ruled heaven. The Gods rushed to Brahma as usual, asking for help, and he informed them that the only one capable of defeating the demonic trio was the offspring of Shiva. But here, the Devas were in trouble, for Shiva was deep in penance, having forsaken the world after his wife Sati perished in the flames of the divine Yagna. Sati had re-incarnated as Parvati, daughter of Himavat, the Lord of the mighty Himalayas , but Shiva had no eyes for anyone. It was left to the Devas to open Shiva’s eyes to the beauty and allure of Parvati and hasten their marriage, but all their attempts were of no avail. Even an attempt by Kama, the lord of love to open the lord’s eyes only resulted in Kama ’s death! Finally, it was Parvati herself, who, by her rigorous penance, managed to earn the attention and then, the love of the lord. Shiva and Parvati, once they got married, were so immersed in themselves, that the Devas had to rush again to Kailas to ask him to beget his heir soon. Shiva decided to oblige the Devas this time, and, opening his third eye, sent out sparks, which he said would give the Devas their warrior. Agni, the lord of fire, was deputed to carry the sparks to Ganga , who would nurture them, but he himself found them so hot, he had to be helped by Vayu, the lord of wind, and somehow managed to deposit the sparks in the river. Ganga , in turn, took the sparks to a sacred lake full of lotuses, where the sparks turned into 6 small children. They were picked up by 6 young girls passing by, who cared for them till Parvati turned up. Once Parvati lifted them, they al merged to form one child with 6 faces – known by various names, such as Karthikeya (since he was nurtured by the 6 Krittikas), Skanda (since he was carried by Agni), Guha (thanks to Vayu), and Shanmukha (6-faced). There are many more such names, but since the story is getting too long, I shall stop with these!
Anyway, Muruga grew up and in time managed to slay, first Tarakasuran, who had taken the form of a huge mountain, and then Simhamukhan, the lion-faced one. According to the story, Simhamukhan regrets the part he has played and apologizes to Muruga, who blesses him that he shall take the form of a lion and act as a vehicle to his mother, Parvati. Finally, he met Surapadman in battle; a battle which seemed would never end. Surapadman took to sorcery, changing shapes before he could be targeted by the Vel, the divine spear. He finally turned into an elephant and then to a tree, when the Vel split him into two. At the last moment of his life, he came to the realization that Muruga was nothing but part of Shiva, his revered lord, and begged forgiveness, and Muruga granted it to him – transforming the two halves of the tree into a peacock and a cock. The peacock he took as his vehicle; and the cock as his emblem on his flag!
This drama is enacted year after year on Skanda Shashti day, at temples to Karthikeya across India
Leading the procession - Samhith's favourite animal!
Larger, much larger than life!!!
Looks like a masquerade party!!!
Here come the leading couple......
Followed by the rest....
All aglow in the dark winter night...
Ready with his instrument....
Members of the Panchavadyam troupe...
Time to herald the advent of the Lord!!
Too happy to pose for the camera!!
Bands - of all types!
The trumpeters!
... and the 'mami' band - singing bhajans!
The lord arrives - in his palanquin - Palkhi
A Closer view......
Prayers of the devout.....
Paraphernalia of the Lord's procession .........
Waiting with our offerings.....that's Samhith, trying to peep through!
The procession moves on.....
....and the ladies too....
A final performance before they pass our building...
I was unable to get a good pic of the main deity, though I even asked the priest to click one for me....... Probably the lord doesn't want his idol here... open for all to view......
It was a wonderful evening, a procession we shall look forward to, year after year!
Very good write up as usual :) in our story the Lord shiva opens his eyes due to kama , then comes the sparks which destroys him, and also carried to the saravana poigai (the river) to turn into six kids in the lotus.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the pictures, I felt like being taken in the procession. May Lord Muruga bless all the readers and your family with love and peace.
Good narration .
ReplyDeletegood pictures.
@ Chitra : thanks!
ReplyDelete@ Sri : Hey, there are lots of versions... this one is the most accepted...... it would be interesting to compile all the different versions, wouldn't it???
Very nice post Anu. Nice narration...liked it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Anu. Thanks for sharing the colorful pictures to add to the wonderful narration.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
Cheers!!
@ Aarti & Chatterbox: thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteHey! How come the 'mami' band was also in uniform :D Amazed that I missed watching all this despite enduring the noise and smoke throughout the day!
ReplyDelete