Skanda Sashti is also known as Kanda Shashti is celebrated to worship Lord Skanda, who is an avatar of Lord Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. During this Sashti, devotees keep vratam, observe fast, sing Skanda Sashti Kavacham, and perform Sabramanya Shasti Pooja. It is one of the major southern festivals that glorifies Lord Skanda or Sabramanya. In the Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that the demons under the commands of Tarakasura along with Simhamukha and Surapadma created havoc in the heavenly abodes of different gods and goddesses. It was Lord Skanda who defeated all these demons and freed the gods.
Generally, people are aware of Ganesha Chaturthi that happens in Bhadrapada (Aug-Sept) but Sankashti Chaturthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi are also significant as both are related to Lord Ganesha.
So far as Skanda Sashti Vratam is concerned, the auspicious tithi is when Sashti Tithi happens with Panchami Tithi. Skanda Sashti Vratam may be observed on Panchami Tithi.
Skanda Sashti 2026 Dates and Tithi
January 24, 2026, Saturday – Begins – 01:46 AM, Jan 24 | Ends – 12:39 AM, Jan 25
February 22, 2026, Sunday – Begins – 11:09 AM, Feb 22 | Ends – 09:09 AM, Feb 23
March 23, 2026, Monday – Begins – 06:38 PM, Mar 23 | Ends – 04:07 PM, Mar 24
April 22, 2026, Wednesday – Begins – 01:19 AM, Apr 22 | Ends – 10:49 PM, Apr 22
May 21, 2026, Thursday (Adhika Skanda Sashti) – Begins – 08:26 AM, May 21 | Ends – 06:24 AM, May 22
June 19, 2026, Friday – Begins – 04:59 PM, Jun 19 | Ends – 03:46 PM, Jun 20
July 19, 2026, Sunday – Begins – 03:42 AM, Jul 19 | Ends – 03:29 AM, Jul 20
August 17, 2026, Monday – Begins – 05:00 PM, Aug 17 | Ends – 05:50 PM, Aug 18
September 16, 2026, Wednesday – Begins – 08:59 AM, Sep 16 | Ends – 10:47 AM, Sep 17
October 16, 2026, Friday – Begins – 03:25 AM, Oct 16 | Ends – 05:54 AM, Oct 17
November 15, 2026, Sunday (Soora Samharam) – Begins – 11:23 PM, Nov 14 | Ends – 02:00 AM, Nov 16
December 15, 2026, Tuesday – Begins – 07:15 PM, Dec 14 | Ends – 09:19 PM, Dec 15
What is Skanda Sashti and Why Is It Celebrated?
Skanda Sashti, also known as Kanda Shashti, is an auspicious observance dedicated to Lord Skanda, also revered as Lord Kartikeya, Murugan, or Subramanya. It is observed on the sixth lunar day (Sashti Tithi) and holds special spiritual significance as Sashti is considered the tithi ruled by Lord Kartikeya. On this sacred day, devotees worship Lord Skanda to seek his blessings for courage, protection, victory, and spiritual strength.
The festival commemorates the divine victory of Lord Skanda over the demon Surapadma and his associates, who symbolized arrogance, ego, and destructive tendencies. This victory, known as Soora Samharam, represents the triumph of divine wisdom and righteousness over evil forces. By observing Skanda Sashti, devotees invoke the warrior aspect of Lord Kartikeya to overcome obstacles, inner weaknesses, and negative influences in life.
Skanda Sashti is especially revered in South India, where Lord Murugan is worshipped as the supreme deity of valor, discipline, and wisdom. Devotees observe vratam, perform special pujas, and recite the Skanda Sashti Kavacham to receive the Lord’s grace. Spiritually, the observance of Skanda Sashti encourages self-discipline, devotion, and the courage to face challenges with faith and determination.
Skanda Sashti Vrat Vidhi (How to Observe Skanda Sashti Properly)
Observing Skanda Sashti Vrat is a sacred practice undertaken to seek the blessings of Lord Skanda for courage, protection, victory over obstacles, and inner strength. The vrat is observed with devotion, purity of thought, and self-discipline.
Devotees should wake up early on the day of Skanda Sashti and take a bath to purify the body and mind. After bathing, a sankalp (solemn vow) is taken to observe the Skanda Sashti vrat with sincerity and faith. Worship of Lord Skanda or Lord Murugan is then performed either at home or in a temple.
Fasting is an important part of Skanda Sashti observance. Devotees may observe a complete fast by consuming only water or a partial fast by consuming satvik food such as fruits and milk, depending on their physical capacity. Consumption of grains, non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, alcohol, and intoxicants is strictly avoided on this day.
Chanting and reciting Skanda Sashti Kavacham is considered highly auspicious and is an integral part of the vrat. Devotees also chant the powerful mantra “Om Sharavana Bhava” 108 times to invoke the blessings of Lord Kartikeya. Performing Kartikeya Puja, offering flowers, incense, lamps, and prasadam further enhances the spiritual merit of the vrat.
Devotees are advised to maintain mental calmness, avoid anger and negativity, and stay immersed in prayers, bhajans, and devotional thoughts throughout the day. In the evening, special worship is performed, and the fast is concluded after sunset as per individual tradition and health.
Observing Skanda Sashti Vrat with devotion is believed to remove obstacles, pacify malefic planetary influences such as Mars, and bestow courage, discipline, success, and spiritual progress.
Skanda Sashti Viratham 2026 / Skanda Sashti Fasting
Skanda Sashti is dedicated to Lord Skanda or Sabramanya, one observes fast on this day to please the Lord who is also known as Lord Murugan.
- You can observe fast from sunrise to sunset following the time given.
- You can eat nothing or just consume satvik food such as fruits and milk.
- You can chant Skanda Sashti Kavacham, a devotional prayer for protection and blessings from Lord Murugan.
- Chant ‘Om Sharavana Bhava’ mantra 108 times on a bead mala (Rudraksha) to please the Almighty.
- You can wear Mars Power Mala having Six Mukhi Rudraksha bead ruled by the planet Mars which is under the control of Lord Kartikeya.
- You can wear a Six Mukhi Rudraksha bead as a bracelet, locket, or pendant. A Six Mukhi Rudraksha is ruled by the War god, Lord Kartikeya, and pacifies planet Mars. Best for willpower, courage, perfection in one’s profession, grounding, and focus.
- If you are suffering from delays or disharmony in marriages, accidents, high temper, debts, difficulties through children, and losses in business, you must use Shree Mangal yantra in your pocket, wallet, or cash box. Keeping this in the South corner of the home or on one's person pleases Mars and brings happiness and auspiciousness in-home and prosperity in business.
- Best of all, one must perform Kartikeya Puja on Skanda Sashti. Those who are suffering from Rahu, Ketu, Kala Sarpa Dosha (In the Vedic chart, people whose planets sit between Rahu and Ketu) and those having sarpa shraap (the curse of the snake) should worship Karthikeya.
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Benefits of Monthly Sashti Viratham
- To please Lord Karthikeya and receive his blessings.
- Helps overcome delays or disharmony in marriages, accidents, high temper, debts, difficulties through children, and losses in business.
- Balances the effect of planet Mars (Mangal) and removes Mangal Dosh from the horoscope.
- Helps people suffering from Rahu, Ketu, Kala Sarpa Dosha and those having Sarpa Shraap.
- Brings courage, fearlessness to gain victory over one’s enemies.
Skanda Sashti Kavacham:
It is said that one must recite or at least read Skanda Sashti Kavacham or Skanda Sashti Kavasam on thisday. It is a devotional song glorifying Lord Murugan. It was composed in Tamil by a student ofMeenakshi Sundaram Pillai in the 16th century. The student was Bala Devaraya Swamigal. Beginning with the first four lines called kaappu, it has two-hundred and thirty-eight verses that are known as kavacham. By chanting it regularly, one establishes themselves in a pure devotional mood. During the Skanda Vrat, it should be chanted, recited, or read thirty-six times a day.
Meaning of Skanda Sashti Kavacham:
The Skanda Sashti Kavacham is a prayer to Lord Skanda also known as Lord Murugan. The devotees whorecite this Kavacham enjoy prosperity in abundance and all their sufferings vanish as the verses in theKavacham suggest. It invokes Lord Skanda to shower His grace on the devotees while some versesdescribe the most beautiful form of God and ask for protection.
Benefits of Skanda Sashti Kavacham:
- Reciting the Kanda Sashti Kavacham regularly showers the blessings of Lord Skanda or Lord Murugan on the devotees.
- It protects the devotees from all the agony and miseries since it acts as protection (kavach).
- The Skanda Sashti Kavacham can be recited by devotees with fertility issues to have a child.
- Marital discord is also resolved by chanting this Kavacham.
- Singing the Kavacham every day brings peace in the home.
Spiritual Significance of Skanda Sashti
Skanda Sashti holds profound spiritual significance as it symbolizes the victory of divine consciousness over ignorance, ego, fear, and negativity. Lord Skanda, the divine warrior son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, represents courage, discipline, wisdom, and righteous action. Worshipping Him on Sashti Tithi helps devotees awaken these higher qualities within themselves.
The demons defeated by Lord Skanda, especially Surapadma, symbolically represent inner enemies such as anger, arrogance, lust, greed, fear, and confusion. Skanda Sashti reminds devotees that true victory is not merely external but is achieved by conquering one’s inner weaknesses. Observing the vrat, chanting mantras, and reciting the Skanda Sashti Kavacham helps purify the mind and strengthen inner resolve.
Skanda Sashti is also closely associated with the energy of planet Mars (Mangal), which governs courage, action, determination, and willpower. Lord Kartikeya is the presiding deity of Mars, and worshipping Him on Skanda Sashti helps balance aggressive tendencies, reduce impulsiveness, and channel Mars energy positively toward discipline, focus, and righteous action.
Spiritually, Skanda Sashti encourages devotees to live a life of self-control, devotion, and moral strength. It is an auspicious time to pray for protection, clarity of purpose, fearlessness, and success in overcoming obstacles. By surrendering to Lord Skanda on this sacred day, devotees seek not only material relief but also spiritual growth, inner peace, and divine guidance on their life’s path.
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Kartikeya Puja Mantra Japa and Yajna
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The Kartikeya Puja Mantra Japa and Yajna is performed for seeking the blessings of Lord Kartikeya and it also pacifies the malefic effects of Mangal Dosha and Kuja Dosha. The Puja is performed according to the Vedic scriptures by Rudra Centre priests in the temple installed in our self-owned premises. You will receive a Puja Tokri with prasad and other items along with a short video of the puja. Conducting this puja may be beneficial for the fulfillment of wishes as well.
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Finely etched Kartikeya Yantra on a copper plate in 24K gold polish is perfect for placing in your puja altar while worshipping Lord Kartikeya or Lord Skanda. It brings confidence, willpower, intelligence, and fulfills desires. There are various options available for holding the Yantra such as a wooden stand, wooden frame, and golden frame to place in your home/office or shop. The high-quality copper used for engraving the Yantra makes it a durable piece and reciting the Mantra provided is beneficial.
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