Zooming to Tanikai with Skanda

Check out the theme here: A Retelling of Valli and Karttikeya’s Love Story

This post is a part of BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026.

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Skanda took Valli to Ceruttani, his favorite abode on earth. He showed her the hills and the sights in the region, explaining how the place helped him calm down after his battles with the asuras.

“That’s why it is also called Shantipuri,” Skanda said, sitting on the top of the hill beside Valli, with an arm wrapped around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder, leaning into his embrace.

“You killed many asuras, didn’t you, Skanda?”

He nodded. “I was born to end Tarakasura. Devendra made me the commander of his army to keep Svarga and the worlds safe from asuras.”

Valli smiled. “I grew up listening to stories of your prowess.”

“You are devi yourself. Others will grow up listening to your stories.”

“I only wanted to marry you.”

“You were a devi even before you married me,” he reminded her.

“I know. It feels strange still,” Valli didn’t think she was any different from before, except that she knew she wouldn’t age like humans or die. That made her sad. Her family, friends, relatives, and everyone would pass away over time, but she wouldn’t. “Will I forget my loved ones?” The thought worried her.

Skanda pressed a kiss to her hair and took her hand in his. “No, you won’t forget your loved ones. What are they but atman in human bodies? Some will have multiple rebirths, while some will eventually attain moksa.”

They spent a few days in Ceruttani, enjoying the alone time. Valli didn’t have to track the hours to return home by evening. She was home.

“Can we come here whenever we want?”

“Of course.”

“Then, there should be a home for us on the hill, for all three of us,” Valli said.

“As you wish, my love. One day soon, Ceruttani will have a devalayam where I will be worshipped as Tanikesan, with my Valli and Devasena on either side. People can have their wishes fulfilled by worshipping us here with true devotion.”

Valli hugged Skanda and thanked him. “When will we go to Tanikai?”

“Whenever you want to.”

“Let’s go now. I wish to meet my sister and see our home in the other world.”

Skanda nodded. “Why don’t you take us there this time?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Imagine us at the gates you saw last time.”

Valli thought it was an easy way to travel. She entwined her fingers with Skanda and visualized the golden arch studded with colorful gemstones and decorated with fragrant celestial flowers.

In the next instant, they were standing right outside Tanikai. Valli laughed in delight.

A beautiful devi wearing a cream saree and dressed in golden jewelry walked toward them from inside. She had a huge smile on her eyes and her dark eyes shone with excitement.

“Welcome home, my sister and husband.” Her melodious voice filled the space.

“Devasena, you put your sister first, I see,” Skanda teased her as she stepped forward to embrace Valli.

“My husband, I have been waiting to reunite with her for so long! I missed you too,” she said with a light laugh.

“I can’t complain when my wives are sisters!” Skanda chuckled and bent to pat his peacock and his rooster on the head. The birds danced around the trio, making shrill calls that somehow sounded musical.

Valli saw the resemblance in their features. Devasena was milky white while Valli was green, but they had similar eyes, nose, and limbs, slender. They had the same type of hair, too, curls that reached the waist.

“I dreamt of you as a child,” Valli whispered.

Devasena nodded happily. “Yes, I couldn’t resist peeking at you a few times.”

Skanda walked into his palace with an arm around each wife as they chatted like long-lost friends.

Later, they went to Kailasa to get blessings from Shiva and Parvati as well as Ganesa. Narada, too, arrived, accepting praises for his important role in bringing Valli and Skanda together.

Skanda, Valli, and Devasena continue to rule in Tanikai and have multiple abodes on Earth. Ceruttani became Tiruttani, one of the ancient and most powerful pilgrim sites to worship Murugan with his wives.