Skanda Shashti स्कन्द षष्ठी
Murugan · Full-day vrat
Skanda Shashti, observed on the Shukla Shashti of the Tamil month Aippasi, commemorates the day Murugan (Skanda-Kartikeya) annihilated the asura Surapadma at Tiruchendur on the Tamil coast, restoring dharma to the devas. The six-day Soorasamharam festival at the Tiruchendur Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple culminates in a dramatic re-enactment where the vel pierces Surapadma, who is transformed into the peacock vahana and rooster banner of the Lord. The vratam is widely observed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia, and finds scriptural sanction in the Skanda Purana and the Tamil Kanda Puranam of Kachiyappa Sivacharya.
Rituals (vidhi)
- 1.Six-day nirjala or phala-ahara fast beginning on Aippasi Shukla Prathama
- 2.Daily recitation of Kanda Shashti Kavacham composed by Devaraya Swamigal
- 3.Witnessing the Soorasamharam vel-yudham re-enactment at Tiruchendur
- 4.Offering panchamrita abhisheka and vibhuti archana to the shanmukha vigraha
- 5.Lighting karpura aarti and presenting panneer (rose water) to Murugan
- 6.Breaking the vratam on Sapthami after Tirukalyanam of Murugan with Devasena
Significance
Skanda Shashti is held by Kaumara devotees to be the most potent vratam for vanquishing inner asuras of ego, lust and ignorance, mirroring the slaying of Surapadma by the vel of jnana-shakti. The phala-shruti of the Kanda Shashti Kavacham declares that those who observe the six-day fast with sincerity gain victory over enemies, freedom from graha-dosha, marital harmony, progeny, and ultimately moksha at the lotus feet of the six-faced Lord. The vratam is especially prescribed for the unmarried and for those afflicted by Mangal-dosha.
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