One of South India’s biggest Hindu festivals is Skanda Sashti, which is dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Kartikeya.
Skanda Sashti is a popular Hindu festival in India. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Skanda, who is also known as Lord Kartikeya, as the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Skanda or Kartikeya is extremely popular in South India, especially among Tamil Hindus. Skanda is the younger brother of Lord Ganesha. In South India, Skanda is considered the god of Victory and War and is also known by the name of Murugan and Subramanya.
| Skanda Sashti Puja Date | December 28, 2022, Wednesday |
What is Skanda Sashti?
Skanda Sashti is a part of Sashti Tithi Vrat that comes every month during Shukla Paksha Sashti day (the sixth day). Devotees keep fast and worship Lord Skanda to bring victory over evils in their lives. Sometimes, the festival is also celebrated on the fifth day because when Sashti Tithi is combined with Panchami Tithi it is believed more auspicious and is preferred. Thus, you might see people observing fast for Skanda Sashti Vratam on Panchami Tithi.
Skanda Sashti is also spelt as Kanda Shashti in some parts of India.
Importance of Skanda Sashti or Skanda Shasti Tithi
After the end of Panchami Tithi or the beginning of Sashti Tithi, the Skanda Sashti Vratam time is chosen between sunrise and sunset. In this case, both Panchami and Sashti are conjugated. On this day, the temples of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the world enjoy huge devotee crowds. Some other temples of Sri Subrahmanya Swami Devasthanam are also considered pious places to worship on Skanda Sashti.
What is Soorasamharam?
You might have heard the name Soorasamharam related to this festival. Actually, Soorasamharam day is observed one day before Sashti Vratam Tithi when Sashti Tithi and Panchami Tithi are both considered for prayer.
On this day, a ritual folk performance can also be seen in various parts of South India. The performance recreates the killing of Asuras by Lord Murugan, as mentioned in various Hindu texts. If you want to witness the performances, you should visit any famous Murugan temple across South India, in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. In Sri Lanka also, this festival is celebrated. In Kerala’s Kozhikode District Soorasamharam is known by the name of Sooranpada.
Skanda Sashti after Soorasamharam is also famous by the name of Subramanya Sashti. People also call this day Kukke Subramanya Sashti because it falls during the lunar month of Margashirsha.
Six Abodes of Lord Murugan
The six Abodes of Lord Murugan are the six most prominent temples dedicated to Lord Murugan or Kartikeya. All of these temples are located in Tamil Nadu and are very close to Tamil Hindus. These temples are also the place where Skanda Sashti festival is celebrated with joy and pump.
- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram
- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur
- Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani
- Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai
- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani
- Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai
There are many other temples of Lord Murugan where Skanda Sashti is celebrated. These are Marudamalai Murugan Temple in Coimbatore and Kukke Subramanya Temple in Mangalore, Karnataka.
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