Skanda Sashti Festival Celebrations Brings a Divinity of Tamil Nadu to Hong Kong HONG KONG — For seven vibrant days, the spirit of Tamil Nadu filled the air at the Hindu Temple in Happy Valley, as Hong Kong's Tamil community came together to celebrate Skanda Sashti. The annual festival, which ran from October 22nd to 28th, was an elegant and elaborate affair, orchestrated by the Hong Kong Sashti Sangam with support from the Hindu Association of Hong Kong and the wider Tamil community.Each year, the celebration aims to recreate the traditional atmosphere of temples back in India, and this year was no exception. An experienced Shivacharya, Shri. Adhithya Venkatramani, was specially invited from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, to conduct the rituals, poojas, and ceremonies, with the assistance of Murugan devotees and friends from the Veda Patasala, ensuring the celebrations adhered to ancient customs.The attention to detail extended to the temple decorations, with fresh flowers and garlands meticulously imported from Tamil Nadu, serving as a reminder of home for many in the small but devout Tamil population.The festival kicked off on October 22nd with a traditional Ganapathi Pooja and Kaappukkattal, a ritual to protect the proceedings. The festivities were thoughtfully scheduled to accommodate working professionals, Daily early morning Abhishekam and Alankaram, and with evening functions beginning daily at 6:15 PM, allowing devotees to attend their offices. Each evening featured Thiruppugazh Vazhipaadu (hymn recital), a Swami Purappaadu (procession of the deity), followed by Prasadam and dinner for all attendees.The week was filled with special events:Day 2: A special Shanmuga Trishathai Archanai was performed.Day 3: Devotees participated in a special Vilakku Pooja.Day 4 (Saturday) during the weekends The festivities began earlier at 4:30 PM, featuring a special Vel Abhishekam done by all devotees and devotional bhajans sung by children.Day 5: Young members of the community showcased their talent with a Nattiyanjali, a devotional dance offering featuring performances by children learning Bharatanatyam, as well as experienced senior dancers.Day 6: The morning included a special Ganapathy & Shathru Samhara Pooja, with the evening climaxing in the dramatic reenactment of Soorasamharam, the slaying of the demon Soorapadman by Lord Murugan.Day 7: The grand finale was the Skanda Sashti Thirukalyana Vaibhavam, the divine marriage of Lord Murugan and Goddess Devasena. Devotees brought traditional Kalyana Seeru, and the ceremony was followed by a celebratory Kalyana Virundhu (wedding feast)For the Tamil women (Pengal) of Hong Kong, the festival offered a cherished opportunity to wear their traditional pattu pudavai (silk sarees). These vibrant garments, though worn infrequently, are a powerful symbol of their heritage. Surrounded by fellow worshippers adorned in colourful sarees, many remarked that the temple felt like a slice of Tamil Nadu itself, fostering a deep sense of cultural connection and community.Beyond Skanda Sashti, the Hong Kong Sashti Sangam plays a vital role in preserving Tamil spiritual traditions. it organises monthly Sashti poojas and major events such as Thaipusam (where devotees carry Kavadi and Pal kudam), Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Krithigai, and Panguni Uthiram. Guided by community elders, the Sangam ensures that spiritual traditions thrive for the small Tamil community in a distant land- ஹாங்காங்கில் இருந்து திருப்பதி நாச்சியப்பன்