Skanda Sashti Vratham and Rituals: How to seek Lord Murugan's blessings

This year, Skanda Sashti will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Skanda Sashti, often called Kanda Sashti, is a significant Hindu festival mainly observed in South India. The festival honors Lord Murugan, who is also revered as Skanda, Kartikeya, and Subramanya.

Skanda Sashti Vratham

Skanda Sashti Vratham is a revered ritual dedicated to Lord Murugan. The observance of Skanda Sashti Vratham is thought to bestow good fortune, surmount challenges, and confer inner fortitude. Devotees seek blessings for success in life's various facets, for triumph over difficulties, and for the acquisition of spiritual insight. Here are the key aspects of Skanda Sashti Vratham:

Purpose
Skanda Sashti is celebrated to invoke Lord Murugan's protection, courage, and triumph over adversities. It is believed by devotees that observing this fast promotes spiritual development, dispels negativity, and bestows inner strength.

Rituals
Here’s what you need to know about Skanda Sashti rituals:

• Fasting: Devotees often fast, refraining from both food and water for certain hours or even the whole day.
• Prayers and Chants: The recitation of hymns, mantras, and the potent Skanda Shashti Kavacham is a widespread practice.
• Temple Visits: Devotees frequent Murugan temples to offer prayers and seek divine blessings.
• Offerings: Devotees offer fruits, flowers, and ghee lamps to Lord Murugan.
• Spiritual Cleansing: Many devotees perform a ritual bath prior to worship.

Skanda Sashti, the festival honoring Lord Murugan, is steeped in Hindu mythology. The legends associated with Skanda Sashti are as follows:

Triumph Over Demon Soorapadman
The legend states that Lord Murugan was victorious over the formidable demon Soorapadman, who embodies the negative forces of selfishness, ignorance, greed, and chaos. The victory of Skanda signifies the prevailing of virtue over vice and the illumination of spiritual light over the shadows of darkness.

Skanda’s Attributes
Skanda, also referred to as Kartikeya or Murugan, is represented as a deity with six faces and twelve arms. He serves as the commander-in-chief of the devas and is a valiant protector of virtue. According to legend, Skanda was the pioneer in renouncing worldly life to pursue the path of Kundalini yoga. Lord Shiva granted Skanda authority over the chakras associated with willpower, direct perception, and unadulterated divine love.

The Subdued Demon and the PeacockAfter vanquishing Soorapadman, Skanda converted the demon into his loyal servant—the majestic and splendid peacock that became Skanda's mount.

Want to experience the cultural richness of June? Check Complete List of Festival in June 2024.