Skandha Sashti

Skandha Sashti or Kanda Sashti Vratam is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is observed in the Tamil month of Aippasi and most devotees fast during this 6-day period. It starts from the next day after Diwali and the final day is celebrated as Kandha Sashti. The last day is also called as Soorasamharam day.

Lord Murugan defeated demon Soorapadman with his Vel on the sixth day of the battle. This festival of Soorasamharam is observed every year to mark the victory of good over evil. Soorapadman’s cruelty went to an extreme, Lord Shiva asked Muruga to destroy asuras and free Devas from their cruel bondage. Shiva gave the eleven rudras eleven weapons, and Parvathi gave the Vel weapon to Lord Muruga for the war. The Vel, or sacred spear, is the most powerful weapon in Lord Muruga’s armory.

During the first five days of the war the brothers of Surapadma and all other asuras perished. Soorapadman had such a big ego that he did not want to surrender to the Lord. He took the form of a big mango tree. On sixth day, Lord Muruga’s spear split the tree and one part became a peacock and the other became a Chanticleer(cock). Lord Muruga took Peacock as his vahana (Vehicle) and Cock on his banner.

The next day of Soorasamharam is Thirukalyanam. The famous ‘Vetri Vel’ chanting that takes place on the Shasti day is associated with the victory of Skanda over Soorapadman.

The Skanda Shasti Vratam (fasting)

Tamil speaking people observe Skandha Sashti and believe it is beneficial. It is important to note that the day when shasti thithi conjugates with panjami thithi is chosen for Shasti Vratam. The Shasti vratam is also famous in Kerala. The energy of Lord Muruga, also called as Skanda, is abundantly available during these sacred 6 nights of darkness destroying energy.

Most devotees fast during the 6-day period. There is no common method of Skanda Shasti fasting. Different devotees observe it differently. Some people only fast on the Soorasamharam day. The fasting ends with the Thirukalyanam on the next day. The devotees should folloe some basic rules.

Do’s and Dont’s

Avoid Non-vegetarian food completely during the period.
Some people also avoid garlic and onions.
Those who are observing the fast make it a point to read scriptures related to Lord Muruga or recite the Kanta Shasti Kavasam or Subramaniya Bhujangam.
Most devotees also visit Skanda temples during the period.
When it comes to Kanda Shasti fasting, some devotees only take a single meal a day.
Some take the meal at noon and others at night.
Some devotees confine to fruits and juices during the 6-day period.

Skandha Sashti Vratham

There are several Skanda devotees who see the Vratam as an opportunity to clean the body and get rid of unwanted toxic elements. Such devotees confine to water, coconut water and other fruit juices.

‘Vrata’ or ‘Vratam’ in Sanskrit means ‘vow.’ Vratam is not a mere fasting. By observing a Vratam a person is trying to purify his mind through meditation, worship and by sticking to some ‘vow’ that they have taken. Now, this vow can include fasting, not telling lies, not getting anger etc. A vratam is an attempt to bring back discipline into your life.

Always my mother will tell us that she observed sashti viratham and by coincidence or with the blessings of Lord Muruga, my brother and I were born on Sashti thithi. It is a strong belief for me that if we wish to get something in life and observe fasting on this day, it will be fulfilled by the grace of God.

Some methods for observing Viratham – I got these details from my uncle. Thank you Ganesh mama…

Shasti Viratham is mainly done for Lord Muruga. Usually Kanda sasti will falls in tamil month of Aippasi.

Procedure to make Skandha Sashti Poojai

First meditate on Lord Muruga – You can do this silently or by chanting Om Valli Devasena samedha Sri Subrahmanya Swāmine namaha dhyāyāmii
Now invoke Lord Muruga – Take the idol or picture or Vel and keep it near you or hold it in your hands. You can silently pray to Muruga or chant Om Vali devasena… swāmine namaha āvāhayāmii
Place the idol in the appropriate place chosen by you in the puja area – you can chant – Om āsanam samarpayāmii
Now you can sprinkle some water – Om…namaha arghyam
Then pour some water on the feet or near the Vel – Om… namaha pādhyam
Sprinkle some water again – Om… namaha āchamaniyam
And then sprinkle rose water or usual water – Om… oupachārika snānam
Sprinkle some water again as final purification – Om…snānānandharam āchamaniyam
Now you can offer turmeric paste or if you have special dress for idol you can offer it –Om… vastrārtham akshadām
Then offer sandal paste to the Vel or idol – Om gandhān dhārayāmi
And do decorations with flowers or garlands – Om…gandhsyopari alankāranārtham akshadām
Finally offer kum kum – Om…haridrā kumkumam
At last offer some flowers – Om…pushpaih poojayāmi