Skanda Shashti

Skanda Shashti is a Tamil Hindu festival honouring Lord Skanda, also known as Lord Muruga or Kartikeya, the God of war and the son of Lord Shiva and a prominent deity in Southern India. Lord Murugan is celebrated on Shashti, the sixth day of the lunar cycle. Devotees observe a fast on the full moon day and give their undivided devotion to Lord Muruga or Skanda. Skanda Shashti Kavacham song is relevant in any episode of Skanda Shashti. The intense aura of Skanda Sashti Kavacham Song is said to invoke Lord Muruga or Skanda and motivate wellbeing, career, relationships, and overall prosperity. Skanda Shashti fasting is practised between sunrise and sunset, especially when Panchami Tithi, or the fifth day of the lunar period, ends and Shashti, or the sixth day, arrives. Both Shashti is practised with zeal, but Shukla Paksha Shashti in the lunar month of Kartika is the most important.

Skanda Sashti Significance

According to mythology, Lord Murugan was born from Lord Shiva’s third incarnation for a specific individual. He is revered as Deva’s army’s commander, also known as the God of Wars. He is most known for eradicating the demon Soorapadman and his brethren Tarakasura and Simhamukha. Shukla Paksha, the Sashti Tithi, commemorates his victory over the demons. Lord Murugan is said to have severed Soorapadman’s head with his sword, Vel. And two birds appeared from the demon’s head: a peacock and a rooster. The rooster became a symbol on his banner, and the peacock became his vahana. Lord Shiva’s third for a single human.

Skanda Sashti 2025 Dates & Timings

The History Behind Skanda Shasti

Lord Karthikeyan is regarded as the younger brother of Lord Ganesha by Hindus in South India, although he is considered the older brother of Hindus in North India. There is a mythology surrounding Lord Kartikeyan’s birth and assassination of Surapadma.Once upon a time, the three demons, Surapadman, Simhamukhan, and Tarakasuran, wreaked devastation over the globe. Surapadman had received a blessing from Lord Shiva that Shiva’s abilities would only destroy him. This increased his strength to the point that he and his siblings became a menace to humanity and devas. As the devas want to free themselves of these demons, they approach Lord Shiva, who can only defeat that demon. However, the mission grew more difficult for them as Shiva was absorbed in a deep concentration.

As a result, the devas dispatched the God of Love, Manmata, to excite Shiva’s amorous passions and thereby distract him from meditation.Mamata’s concentration was disrupted when he discharged his Pushpasaram (arrow of flowers) toward Lord Shiva. This incensed the ruler, and he burnt Minamata to ashes. Later, at the behest of all the devas, Shiva revived Manmata and chose to give birth to a kid endowed with all his demon-slaying abilities.Lord Shiva emitted six sparks from his third eye, which were taken to the cooling waters of the river Saravana by the God of fire Agni, where the six sparks materialised as six holy kids. Six damsels, dubbed the Kartika sisters (from the six stars of the constellation Kartika or Pleiades), consented to care for these infants. When Mother Parvati arrived and caressed the six children developing in the pond, they combined into one kid with six faces, twelve hands, and two feet. Kartikeyan was the name given to this magnificent figure. Mother Parvati bestowed upon his abilities, prowess, and a lance called Vel in Tamil.

Karthikeyan developed into a philosopher and warrior as he got older. He became a personification of wisdom and compassion and possessed a vast understanding of the battle. He and his aides waged war against Surapadman and his brothers. The lord assassinated Surapadman’s brothers Simhamukhan and Tarakasuran on his route to the demon’s city. Then furious combat ensued between the Lord and the devil, during which he severed Surapadman’s Vel. A peacock and a cock erupted from Surapadman’s corpse, the former serving as the theory’s vahana (vehicle) and the latter as a sign of triumph over evil on his flag.Karthikeya beat Surapadma on Sashti. Additionally, it is believed that when Surapadman received severe wounds, he begged the Lord to spare him. Therefore Muruga transformed him into a peacock on the condition that he would remain his vahana in perpetuity.

Skanda Shashti Benefits:

According to Vedic Hindu texts, praying to Lord Muruga has some benefits if you stay sincere and committed. A human with a pure heart, it is believed, prays and observes On Skanda Shashti, Lord Karthikeya kindly blesses fasting. Are you looking for love? Pray to Lord Muruga on Skanda Shashti Day 2025, on March 4, and you will find your love prospect. It is an excellent day for businesses and married couples to strengthen their bonds.

If you pray to Lord Muruga on the second, third, and fourth days of Skanda Shashti, you will get relief from health issues and draw good vibes. Worshipping Lord Muruga on the 5th and 6th days of Skanda Shashti would bring spiritual bliss, financial prosperity, and career advancement.

How To Celebrate Skanda Shasti Festival

Devotees fast, pray, and sing devotional songs to Lord Muruga for six days, which corresponds to the six days of the battle against evil powers. During these six days, the majority of devotees remain in temples. The incidents leading up to the Asuras’ invasion are dramatised and executed in Tiruchendur and Tiruparankundram. Kavadi is usually offered on the day of Skanda Shasti. For more details and to know personalised rituals based on your birth chart, you can consult our Expert Astrologers.Swami Sivananda believes, “The Lord grew up in Tiruchendur and attained Mahasamadhi in Kathirgamam.” If a devotee goes to Kathirgamam (Sri Lanka) with confidence, devotion, and piety and stays in the temple for two or three days, the Lord Himself grants the devotee his view.

Skanda Shashti Rituals:

Perform the basic Skanda Shashti rituals. Devotees keep fast for six days During Skanda Shashti. They also avoid eating beef, onions, garlic, and alcohol. Only fresh fruit should be consumed.On Skanda Shashti, honour Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Set up Lord Skanda’s idol and light a candle. Pour pious water or milk on the idol of Lord Muruga or Skanda. Make new clothing for the idol. As prasad, offer Lord Skanda food or sweets.During Skanda Shashti, ask Lord Skanda for something special. Sing the Skanda Shashti Kavacham Song.

Skanda Shashti Mantra:

Chant the powerful Skanda Shashti Mantra during the Skanda Shashti fast. Chant the below powerful Skanda Shashti Mantra 108 times daily:-Om Saravanabhavaya NamahThuthipporku Valvinaipom ThunbampomNenjil Pathipporku Selvam Palithuk KathithongumNishtaiyum KaikoodumNimalar Arul Kanthar Shashti Kavacham Thanai

Skanda Shashti: The Conclusion

Skanda Sashti is a ten-day festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and a few other states. On these days, a magnificent festival is held in the temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya at Tiruchendur, and to complete the festival, the incident of Sura Samhar, or Lord Skanda’s slaughter of the demons, is reenacted to this day. On this day,  devotees flock to see this magnificent event and seek Lord Skanda’s blessings.