Skanda Shashti
The festival of Skanda Sashti celebrates the birth of Skanda. It occurs on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the Tamil month of Aippasi (Aashvina, October – November).
The legend of the Deity Subrahmanya Swami is in the Skanda Purana and other Hindu epics. Skanda, son of the divine couple Shiva and Parvati, is known by many names, including Kartikeya, Mugan. Once, Devas went to Shiva, begging him to save them from the demon Tarakasura. By a boon he obtained from Brahma, Tarakasura could not be killed except by a son of Shiva. Shiva radiated six sparks out of his third eye. Agni (Deity of fire) conveyed the sparks to the river or pond Saravana. The six sparks became six children, whom Parvati Devi embraced, making them one. She presented the child with a spear (In Tamil, Vel.) Skanda became the commander-in-chief of all divine forces (Devas), thus known in Sanskrit as Devasenapati. Murugan has two consorts, Valli and Devasena. His divine vehicle is the peacock.
In some temples, Subrahmanya manifests as a snake, as in Ghati Subrahmanya near Bengaluru. During Skanda’s battle with Tarakasura, the demon took the form of an insect and disappeared into a hill (ghat). Skanda pursued him there and killed him. Thus he is famous as Ghati Subrahmanya in Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, Murugan’s victory over the demon Soora is celebrated in the Soora Samhara festival during Skanda Sashti.
How to celebrate
Items required for Puja
On the puja day, clean the Puja area and draw Rangoli. Tie a string of fresh mango leaves across the front entrance of your home. Take a bath, wear clean clothes and follow the steps of the Puja. Have the items mentioned below ready.
- Place a picture or an icon of Ganesha and Subrahmanya in the Pooja room
- Plain water in Kalasha (a pitcher)
- Fresh and washed mango leaves
- Sandalwood
- One coconut
- Kumkum
- Turmeric
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Flowers and Fruits
Puja at home (process) (Link to the complete puja process)
Watch Video
Puja requires Murtis (Icons, pictures, figurines, statues) and prayers (mantras). The icons or images are kept in a quiet place called a puja room. Puja in Sanskrit means honor or worship. We welcome God or Goddess the same way as we welcome our guests. For a more straightforward method of Puja, follow the steps given below:
- Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
- Create an altar for Ganesha and Skanda.
- Clean the place and the Deities by sprinkling a few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the Deity, and later, apply Haldi (turmeric) & Kumkum to the Deity.
- Light the lamps and place them in front of the Deity.
- Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers, and fruits on a plate before the altar.
- After keeping the items in front of the altar, begin with Ganesh puja.
- Start the Subrahmanya puja,
- Om Vallli Devasena sameta Sri Subrahmanya Swaamine namaha. Dhyaayaamii. Pray for his divine mercy by chanting, “Om Vali Devasena swaamine Namaha aavaahayaamii” Offer obeisance to Sri Subrahmanya and chant the mantra“Om aasanam samarpayaami”
- After completing these rituals, sprinkle with water “Om upcharika snaanam”
- Sprinkle a little more water and chant
- “Om snaana-anantaram aachamanam”
- Offer turmeric paste if offering new attire to the Swami.
- “Om vastraartham akshadaam”
- Offer Sandal paste
- “Om gandhaan dhaarayaami”
- Decorate with flowers
- “Om gandhysyopari alankaara-anaartham akshadaam”
- After worshiping with slokas, you decorate the God/Goddess with flowers and offer Naivedyam.
- Light aarti deya and perform aarti.
- Finally, conclude with Pradakshina (walk around the Deity in a clockwise direction) and namaskara at the end of the Puja.
- Give everyone a present, prasada which you offered as Naivedyam.
Shodasha Upachara vidhi (process) is available.
Suggested Chant
- Skanda Sashti Kavacham
- Read Skanda Purana