Significance of Skanda Sashti
Skanda Sashti is observed to mark the victory of Lord Kartikeya by killing the demon Surapadman. This son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is also known by many other names like Subramanya, Muruga, Skanda, and so on. Skanda Sashti falls on the sixth day of the ‘Shuklapaksha’ (waxing phase of the moon), in the Hindu month of ‘Kartika’. This corresponds to the months of October-November according to the Gregorian calendar. Lord Murugan is popularly known as ‘Skanda’ and his birthday is celebrated in a grand manner in many temples.
Subrahmanya Sashti, also known as Skanda Subrahmanya Sashti is an important festival for Hindus that is dedicated to Lord
Subrahmanya (Skanda). It is observed on the ‘Sashti’ (6th day) tithi during
the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) in the month of ‘Margashira’
as per the traditional Hindu calendar. For those following the Gregorian
calendar, this date falls between the months of November-December. Lord
Subrahmanya is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is known by
different names like ‘Kartikeya’, ‘Velan Kumaran’, ‘Murugan’ and ‘Tamil Kadavul
(the God of Tamils). For this reason this day is also celebrated with different
names like ‘Kartikeya Subrahmanya Sashti’ and ‘Kukke Subrahmanya Shasthi’.
Moreover this day is also known as ‘Subrahmanya Champa Sashti ‘when the Shukla Paksha Shasthi tithi of the Margashira month falls on
a Sunday. Subrahmanya Sashti holds special significance for Lord Kartikeya
followers as it marks the triumph of Lord Subrahmanya over the demon named
Tarakasura. Subrahmanya Sashti is celebrate with immense fervour and gaiety in
the southern parts of the country, namely in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most awaited events in South
India.
Rituals during Subrahmanya Sashti:
- On
the day of Subrahmanya Sashti, devotees get up at sunrise and take a
sacred bath in the holy rivers such as Ganga, Narmada and Yamuna to name a
few.
- Devotees
dedicate this day to Lord Murugan by reading His stories and singing
bhajans and kirtans in the praise of their lord.
- On
Subrahmanya Sashti, devotees worship Lord Kartikeya with full devotion.
They offer milk on the snake mound form of the lord along with other puja
offerings. Offering milk on this day relieves the person from any ‘Sapra
Dosha’. Special naivedya from urad dal (Uddu) is prepared and offered to
the lord.
- Some
devotees also keep a fast on the day of Subrahmanya Sashti. The observer
of this fast must take only one meal during the day. Food containing
onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food is completely avoided during the
Subrahmanya Sashti vrat.
- Special
prayers and rituals are held in Lord Subrahmanya temples on this day.
There are two ancient and important shrines dedicated to Lord Kartikeya,
the Palani in Tamil Nadu and Kukke Subramanya Temple in Karnataka.
Thousands of devotees throng these temples to witness these grand events.
- Doing
charity on the day of Subrahmanya Sashti is considered very rewarding. It
is a good act to donate clothes, food and other essentials to the poor and
needy on this day.