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Skanda Sashti

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Skanda Sashti

Why it is celebrated

Skanda Sashti falls on the Shukla Shashthi of the Tamil month of Aippasi (Kartik). It celebrates the victory of Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, son of Shiv and Parvati, over the asura Surapadman. Devotees fast for six days, and Murugan temples, above all Tiruchendur, hold a grand festival.

The story

Long ago, an asura named Surapadman won great boons through tapasya and began to trouble all three worlds. The suffering devtas prayed to Shiv ji.

Then six sparks came from Shiv ji's third eye. In a lake called Saravana they became six little babies on six lotuses, and the six Krittikas raised them. When Maa Parvati lovingly hugged them, the six children became one, yet kept six faces. That is why he is also called Shanmukh, the six-faced one.

Maa Parvati gave her son a divine spear, the 'vel'. Murugan set out with the army of the devtas, and the battle went on for six days. At last Surapadman fled into the sea and hid there as a huge mango tree. Murugan's vel split the tree in two.

The most beautiful part of the story is that Murugan did not wipe him out; he changed him. One half became a peacock, his vahan, and the other became a rooster, the emblem on his flag. Even pride, by the Lord's grace, can turn into service.

Puja vidhi

  1. On the first day, bathe and take a sankalp for the six-day vrat; many devotees eat one meal a day or only fruit.
  2. Every morning and evening, light a lamp before a picture or idol of Lord Murugan and offer flowers.
  3. Recite or listen to the Kanda Sashti Kavasam.
  4. If you can, visit a nearby Murugan or Kartikeya temple.
  5. On the sixth day, after Soorasamharam, do the puja and break the fast.
  6. On the seventh day, celebrate Thirukalyanam, the wedding of Lord Murugan and Devasena.

Food

Simple vegetarian food or only fruit for six days; temple prasad when the fast is broken.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Skanda Sashti! May Lord Murugan give you courage and a calm mind.

  • Vetrivel Muruganukku Arohara! On Skanda Sashti, may Lord Kartikeya's blessings be with you.

  • Riding the peacock, the vel in his hand: pranam to the six-faced Lord. Happy Skanda Sashti!

  • Just as Murugan turned pride into service, may the flaws in our hearts turn into goodness.

  • May the grace of Kartikeya, beloved son of Shiv and Parvati, stay with your family. Best wishes on Skanda Sashti.

  • Six days of devotion at the feet of the six-faced Lord. May your vrat be blessed.

For your status

  • Vetrivel Muruganukku Arohara!

  • Jai Kartikeya, Jai Murugan.

  • Victory of the vel, triumph of devotion.

Festivals