tamil
Skanda Sashti
கந்த சஷ்டி
October–November · 6 days
Skanda Sashti is the six-day festival to Murugan — the warrior god, son of Shiva and Parvati, brother of Ganesha, the deity Tamils call Kanda, Skanda, Subramanya, or simply Murugan. It falls in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November), beginning on the new-moon day and ending on Sashti, the sixth day of the bright fortnight. The six days commemorate the cosmic battle in which Murugan and his army defeated the asura Soorapadman; the sixth day climaxes with Soorasamharam — the dramatic temple re-enactment of Murugan piercing Soorapadman with the vel, the divine lance Parvati gave him. The day after Sashti is Tirukalyanam — Murugan's celestial wedding to Deivanai. Kanda Sashti Kavasam, the most beloved Tamil devotional hymn, is recited daily through the six days.
What to do
Six-day vrutham (fast)
Devout observers fast all six days — some on water only, some on fruit and dairy, some grain-free. Less devout families fast on the sixth day only, the day of Soorasamharam. The fast breaks at the temple after the Soorasamharam ceremony.
Soorasamharam (sixth-day re-enactment)
EssentialOn the sixth day, Tamil Murugan temples stage Soorasamharam — the dramatic re-enactment of Murugan piercing the demon Soorapadman with the vel. A wooden Soorapadman effigy is brought into the temple courtyard; the priest, holding a ceremonial vel, performs the symbolic battle.
Tirukalyanam (Day 7)
The day after Soorasamharam — Saptami — is Tirukalyanam, Murugan's celestial wedding to Deivanai (or Devasena), the daughter of Indra granted to him after the victory. Temples stage a small wedding ceremony for Murugan and Deivanai.
Kanda Sashti Kavasam recitation
EssentialKanda Sashti Kavasam — the 'Kanda Sashti armor-hymn' by the 19th-century Tamil saint Devaraya Swamigal — is recited daily through the six days. It invokes Murugan's protection over each part of the body and is one of the most beloved Tamil devotional hymns.
Getting ready
Find nearest Murugan temple; check Skanda Sashti and Soorasamharam timings
community
Decide fasting observance — six days, sixth day only, or partial vegetarian
home
For sponsoring Tirukalyanam or daily abhishekam, register through temple
community
Stock vrat foods if fasting (sabudana, kuttu, singhada, fruit, dairy)
food
Set up Murugan puja at home: murti or image, kumkum, fresh flowers (yellow / red), incense, kuthu vilakku
home
Daily: bath at sunrise, Kanda Sashti Kavasam recitation, evening puja
ritual
Sixth day: attend Soorasamharam at temple; break fast with prasad
ritual
Seventh day: attend or honor Tirukalyanam
ritual
In the diaspora
Skanda Sashti in the US centers on the Murugan-prominent temples — Murugan Temple of North America (Lanham MD) is the most famous; others include Sri Murugan Thendayuthapani Temple in Houston, Palani Murugan Temple in New Jersey, and Murugan shrines at Sri Shiva-Vishnu in Sacramento and Sri Venkateswara in Penn Hills. Most hold a six-day program with daily abhishekam, Kanda Sashti Kavasam chanting, and a major Soorasamharam ceremony on the sixth day — many US temples bring out a portable wooden vel and stage the demon-defeat re-enactment in the temple courtyard. Tamil families who can't attend in person often keep the six-day fast at home and listen to Kanda Sashti Kavasam — multiple recorded versions on YouTube cycle through Tamil homes during these days.
When is Skanda Sashti?
- Skanda Sashti 2025
- October 30 – November 4, 2025
- Skanda Sashti 2026
- November 10–15, 2026
- Skanda Sashti 2027
- October 30 – November 4, 2027
Save to your calendar
Add Skanda Sashti 2026 (2026-11-10 – 2026-11-15) — free, no account needed.
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