The 6th lunar day known as Shashti is very auspicious for Lord Murugan who is also known as Skanda or Kandha or Kartikeya. HE is the warrior God who protects the devas.

In the Tamil month of Karthigai the 6th waxing lunar day is extremely powerful and is celebrated as Skanda Shashti. Devotees observe a 6 day fast starting from the 1st lunar day in the month of Karthigai.

This year it falls on Nov 20, 2020. For local timings download the Cosmic Insights or align27 app. 

Skanda Purana

According to Skanda Purana, there were 3 asuras (demons) in the name of Soorapadman, Singamugasuran, and Tarakasur who caused great troubles to the Gods. So Lord Kartikeya was created from the third eye of Lord Shiva to fight them. Lord Kartikeya was blessed with a spear weapon (vel) from Goddess Parvati.

The war took place in a place called Tiruchendur. During the war Lord Kartikeya transformed Singhamugasuran as a vehicle of Goddess Shakti. 

Soorapadman tried to disguise himself as a mango tree in the seabed. Lord Kartikeya split the mango tree into 2 halves. One became the Peacock which is the vehicle of Lord Kartikeya and the other half became the rooster which appears in the flag or banner held by Lord Kartikeya.

The destruction of the three asuras symbolizes the destruction of Ego, Pride and Illusion. 

Soorasamharam

Soorasamharam is celebrated on the 6th waxing lunar day known as Shashti to mark the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance. It is on this day Lord Kartikeya defeated the demon Surapadman with his Vel (spear). 

Rituals and Remedies 

For personalized remedies based on your own birth chart download the align27 app. 

  1. If you can, you can fast on the 6th lunar day if not you can maintain a light sattvic diet on those days.
  2. Listen to or recite the Kandha Shashti Kavacham as many times as possible. It creates a divine armour around you for protection. It also brings confidence and strength to cruise through obstacles in life.
  3. You can chant the mantra – “Aum Saravana Bhava” 108 times during Mars hora.
  4. You can listen to Kandha Guru Kavacham as it is on this same day Jupiter transits into Capricorn where Mars is exalted and Mars is currently in Pisces ruled by Jupiter.
  5. Donate to veterans or war fighters.
  6. You can do yoga in the morning and stretch a little into the warrior pose.
  7. Light a lamp in the morning with Ghee for Lord Kartikeya.

For personalized remedies based on your own birth chart download the align27 app.