Thirukalyanam 2025 During Skanda Sashti - Symbolism - Rituals

Thirukalyanam of Lord Muruga concludes the Skanda Sashti festival held after Amavasya in the Tamil month Aippasi. Thirukalyanam 2025 date is October 28. After the sixth day Skanda Sashti fasting and Soorasamharam, Thirukalyanam is held on the seventh day. It is a major event in important Lord Muruga temples.

On the Thirukalyanam day, Lord Muruga marries Goddess Devasena. This divine marriage is celebrated with all traditional rituals by Murugan devotees.

Special arrangements are made on the Thirukalyanam day. The previous day is the Surasamharam and this holy event too attracts thousands of devotees.

Lord Muruga is also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Kartik and Kartikeya.

Today, Thirukalyanam is observed in Murugan Temples around the world especially in South India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Important Facts On Thirukalyanam

The term Thirukalyanam literally means “sacred/wedding ceremony” — in this context the marriage of Murugan to Devasena, and sometimes Valli is also celebrated.

 

This ritual signifies the union of divine wills/energies, completion of the battle and entrance into a new phase of life and grace for devotees.

In some temples, the Thirukalyanam is celebrated with elaborate rituals, wedding attire for the idols, procession of gods in palanquin, and distribution of prasadam. For example at the temple Thiruparankundram near Madurai, the Unjal (swing) ritual is first held then the Thirukalyanam.

Some temples incorporate the Thirukalyanam as part of a bigger annual festival, not just Skanda Sashti — showing the ritual’s wider cultural embedding.

Thirukalyanam symbolises completion of victory (after the battle) and the establishment of righteous, harmonious life (marriage = union of energies). 

For devotees, participation or witnessing the Thirukalyanam is believed to confer blessings for marital harmony, family wellbeing, victory over obstacles and spiritual upliftment. 

It ties in the warrior‑aspect (Murugan as destroyer of evil) with the divine family & relationship‑aspect (Murugan as husband), which is relatively rare in many other deity‑festivals.

Symbolic Significance Of Thirukalyanam

Union of Purified Forces

• After conquering negative forces (symbolized by Surapadman), Murugan unites with Devasena, daughter of Indra (king of the devas).

• This marriage represents integration of divine energy with cosmic order.

• Murugan = Wisdom; Devasena = Divine Will
  Their union signifies:
  Wisdom guided by divine purpose
   Inner union of strength and virtue

Spiritual Maturity

• Soorasamharam = personal inner battle (ego, desires, ignorance)

• Thirukalyanam = reward for self-conquest; inner peace, divine union

• It echoes the yogic journey:
  Warrior phase (battle) → Union phase (marriage)

Balance of Masculine–Feminine Energies

• Murugan = masculine principle (Jñāna, action)

• Devasena (and in other stories, Valli too) = feminine principle (Shakti, devotion)
  → Their symbolic marriage brings inner balance and harmony.

Cosmic Order Restored

• Post-destruction of evil, the divine marriage re-establishes Rta (cosmic law) — like cosmic peace after war.

Rituals of Thirukalyanam

Pre-Marriage Rituals (Morning to Evening)

• Unjal Seva (Swing Ceremony):
  Deities are placed on a swing and gently rocked — symbolising calming of the divine force after war, and preparation for union.

• Decorating the Deity Idols:
  Murugan is dressed as a groom, Devasena as a bride.
  Silk garments, floral garlands (especially jasmine and rose), and turmeric are used.
  Mirrors, betel leaves, bangles, kumkum are part of the bridal decorations.

• Vedic Chanting & Homam:
  Priests recite wedding mantras from Rig & Sama Veda, especially invoking Agni as the witness to the marriage.
  A Homa (fire ritual) is conducted as in traditional Hindu marriages.

Main Kalyana Ceremony (Evening)

• Kanyadaanam (Giving away the bride):
  Lord Indra (symbolically) gives Devasena in marriage to Murugan.

• Mangalyadharanam (Tying of the sacred thread):
  Murugan ties the Mangalyam (holy necklace) to Devasena — marking the divine union.
  ➤ Bells ring, conches are blown, devotees chant “Muruganukku Arohara!”

• Prasadam Distribution:
  Sweet rice, fruits, and specially made “kalyana pongal” or “kalyana laddu” are distributed, symbolising divine blessings.

• Procession (Utsavam):
  The divine couple is taken on a ratha or palanquin in a temple procession.
  ➤ Devotees follow singing bhajans and kavadi songs.

 Devotee Perspective: What It Means Spiritually

• For Grihastha (householders):
  Blessings for marital harmony, fertility, children (Murugan is Kumara, youthful god), and family prosperity.

• For Spiritual Seekers:
  The union represents the inner wedding of soul with the divine — leading to bliss and moksha.

• For All Devotees:
  Witnessing the Thirukalyanam is believed to remove obstacles in life, bring clarity, balance, and divine grace.

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