April 9, 2025 
Skanda Sashti is a significant Hindu festival primarily dedicated to Lord Muruga, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is celebrated on the Shashthi Tithi (the sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha in various months of the Hindu calendar. The most prominent Skanda Sashti is observed in the Tamil month of Karthigai, but Masik (monthly) Skanda Sashti is also observed with devotion.
For the year 2025, Skanda Sashti will occur on the Shashthi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the following months :
April: Thursday, April 3rd Shashthi Tithi Begins: Wednesday, April 2nd, 11:49 PM Shashthi Tithi Ends: Thursday, April 3rd, 09:18 PM.
The entire day of the Shashthi Tithi is considered auspicious for worshipping Lord Muruga. However, some devotees consider the Pradosh Kaal (the period around sunset) to be particularly auspicious for Shakti-related deities, including Lord Muruga as he is associated with divine power and victory.
Devotees visit temples dedicated to Lord Muruga. Special pujas, abhishekams (ritual bathing of the deity), and prayers are offered. In South India, especially Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other regions where Lord Muruga is highly revered, temples witness significant gatherings. Observing a fast is a significant aspect of Skanda Sashti. Many devotees fast for the entire day, from sunrise to sunset. Some may take a strict fast, abstaining from all food and water, while others follow a partial fast, consuming only fruits, milk, or other permissible items. The fast is usually broken in the evening after prayers. Reciting sacred mantras and hymns dedicated to Lord Muruga is a key practice. The “Skanda Sashti Kavacham,” a powerful devotional hymn seeking Lord Muruga’s protection and blessings, is often chanted. Other mantras like “Om Saravanabhavaya Namaha” and “Om Murugaya Namaha” are also recited.
Skanda Sashti is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Muruga, also known as Skanda, Kartikeya, Subramanya, and the divine commander of the celestial armies. Celebrated primarily in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Karnataka, this festival falls on the Shashthi Tithi, the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in various months of the Hindu calendar. While a major Skanda Sashti is observed in the Tamil month of Karthigai (around November-December), Masik (monthly) Skanda Sashti is also observed with considerable devotion, providing devotees with regular opportunities to connect with and seek the blessings of Lord Muruga.
The essence of Skanda Sashti lies in commemorating Lord Muruga’s victory over the demon Surapadman and his forces. This triumph symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and the power of righteousness. Lord Muruga is revered as a deity of courage, strength, and wisdom, and his worship during Skanda Sashti is believed to bestow these qualities upon his devotees. The stories associated with Skanda Sashti narrate the divine intervention of Lord Muruga to restore cosmic balance and protect the virtuous from the oppression of demonic forces.
The celebrations of Skanda Sashti are marked by various devotional practices. Visiting temples dedicated to Lord Muruga is a central aspect, where special pujas, abhishekams (ritual bathing of the deity), and elaborate decorations are offered. Devotees often undertake pilgrimages to prominent Muruga temples, such as the six abodes of Muruga in Tamil Nadu (Arupadai Veedu). Fasting is another significant observance, with many devotees abstaining from food for the entire day or consuming only a restricted diet of fruits and milk. This austerity is a form of penance and a way to purify the body and mind, focusing entirely on devotion to Lord Muruga.
Chanting sacred mantras and hymns dedicated to Lord Muruga forms an integral part of the Skanda Sashti rituals. The “Skanda Sashti Kavacham,” a powerful Tamil hymn composed by Devaraya Swamigal, is widely recited for protection and blessings. Other mantras like “Om Saravanabhavaya Namaha” and “Om Murugaya Namaha” resonate in homes and temples, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere. Devotional songs (bhajans and kirtans) narrating the glory and valor of Lord Muruga are also sung with great fervor.
Offerings during the puja typically include red flowers, sandalwood paste, kumkum, incense, and special food preparations. Panchamirtham, a sweet mixture made of five ingredients (banana, jaggery, honey, ghee, and raisins), is a common offering. In some regions, Kavadi Attam, a ceremonial offering involving carrying decorated structures (kavadis) on the shoulders, is a significant tradition during the Karthigai Skanda Sashti. The act of carrying the kavadi is a form of physical and spiritual endurance undertaken to fulfill vows or express devotion.