It was my sheer luck that I became a part of another fest that was quite at par with Pongal - Skanda Shasti. Celebrated on sixth day in the month of October - November, Skanda Shasti commemorates the destruction of evil by the Supreme General Kartikeya, son of Shiva, and is celebrated with the dramatic enactment of Soora Samhaaram.

" Actually, you must visit Tirupparankunram, Tiruchendur, two of the 6 'Padai Veedu' temples of Murugan, to see the grandeur of the celebrations" said Murlidharan, my guide. He just had to say this, and we were on our way to the temples. I just wanted to observe every special moments of the festivals and this was just to make up for Pongal. Since I am going to miss Pongal, I will not miss any ceremony of this festival" I thought.

Celebrated in Saivite temples of Tamil Nadu , the occasion is marked with gaiety and fun and frolic. At Sikkal, the festival image of Subramanya receives a spear, from the Ambal shrine, and breaks out in sweat, a day before the climax of the festival

" Corresponding to the six days of the war over the evil forces, devotees undertake fasts, prayers and devotional singing to Lord Muruga. Most of the devotees stay in the temples during these six days. In Tiruchendur and Tiruparankundram events leading to the conquest of the Asuras are dramatized and enacted. Offering of Kavadi on Skanda Sashti is a form of popular worship." informed Murlidharan

"Murli! how do you manage to have so much knowledge" I asked him. " Sir, it's my job, if today I won;t be able to tell you the necessary things about the place, I''ll be ruining my career" he said. And if seen, it was indeed a fact.