Vrat RitualVrat · Fasting

In 13 days on Tuesday - August 18, 2026

Skanda Sashti

Murugan and the Victory of the Vel

Shukla Paksha Shashthi (monthly)

Skanda Sashti

Murugan and the Victory of the Vel

Shukla Paksha Shashthi (monthly)

Deity

Lord Murugan (Skanda, Kartikeya, Subrahmanya)

Observance

Vrat · Full-day fast

Duration

1 day

Observed

Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry

Pooja Muhurat in New Delhi

05:52 AM – 08:29 AM

Pratah Kaal · within the tithi

Shashthi tithi — morning and evening puja

Showing timings for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location for timings that match your own sunrise.

Vrat Parana · breaking the fast

06:58 PM

After sunset, once the evening puja is complete

Evening, after the puja

Calculated for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location.

About This Day

Monthly 6th day of Shukla Paksha dedicated to Lord Murugan (Skanda), especially revered in South India.

Skanda Sashti falls on the Shashthi of Shukla Paksha each month and honours Lord Murugan — Skanda, Kartikeya, Subrahmanya — the commander of the celestial armies and son of Shiva and Parvati. The Shashthi tithi is his own; it was on this day that he vanquished the asura Surapadman and restored order to the worlds. In Tamil Nadu, Kerala and among Tamil communities worldwide this is among the most important monthly observances, kept especially by parents praying for the health and success of their children, and by anyone confronting a formidable obstacle. Murugan is the deity of youth, courage and clarity of purpose, and his vel (spear) symbolises discriminating wisdom that cuts through delusion.

Skanda ShashtiSubrahmanya SashtiKanda SashtiKumara Sashti

Regional Names

Kerala

Skanda Shashthi

All India

Skanda Sashti

Karnataka

Subrahmanya Shashthi

Tamil Nadu

Kanda Sashti

Andhra Pradesh

Subrahmanya Shashti

Vrat Rules

Most keep a fruit-and-milk fast through the day and take one satvik meal after the evening worship. Some observe only a partial fast until noon.

Allowed

·fruits

·milk

·curd

·rice with rock salt after the puja

·payasam

Avoided

·non-vegetarian food

·onion

·garlic

·alcohol

·tamasic foods

Pooja Vidhi , Step by Step

Bath and sankalp

Bathe early, wear clean clothes — yellow or saffron is traditional — and take a vow to observe the vrat

Set the altar

Place a Murugan image or the vel facing east; decorate with fresh flowers and a yellow cloth

Abhishek

Perform abhishek with panchamrit, sandal paste and rose water, then dress and adorn the deity

Offerings

Offer red and yellow flowers, sandal, vibhuti, and a bhog of panchamrit, fruits and payasam

Recitation

Chant the Skanda Shashti Kavacham and the Subrahmanya Bhujangam, or the Murugan mantra with a mala

Temple visit

Visit a Murugan temple in the evening if possible; offer a vel or arch of flowers

Aarti and parana

Perform deeparadhana, distribute prasad, and break the fast in the evening

Step-by-step pooja guidance with mantras.

Mantras

Murugan Mula Mantra

ॐ शरवणभवाय नमः

Om Sharavana Bhavaya Namah · 108 chants

Salutations to the one born in the reed forest of Sharavana

Subrahmanya Gayatri

ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महासेनाय धीमहि। तन्नः षण्मुखः प्रचोदयात्।।

Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahasenaya Dhimahi, Tannah Shanmukhah Prachodayat · 108 chants

We meditate upon the Supreme Being, we contemplate the great commander. May the six-faced one awaken us

Vel Invocation

ॐ वेल् मुरुगा हरो हरा

Om Vel Muruga Haro Hara · 21 chants

Hail to Murugan of the sacred spear

Pooja Essentials

Pooja Items

Murugan image or velSandal pasteVibhutiYellow clothCamphorGhee lampRose waterFruitsBetel leaves

Flowers

Red flowersYellow marigoldJasmineKadamba flower

Prasad

PanchamritPayasamFruitsBananaSugarcaneHoney

·Chant Om Sharavana Bhavaya Namah

·Recite the Skanda Shashti Kavacham

·Visit a Murugan temple in the evening

·Keep the household satvik through the day

·Offer fresh red and yellow flowers

Avoid

·Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic and alcohol

·Do not speak harshly or lose your temper

·Do not skip the evening deeparadhana

·Avoid tamasic activity and idle entertainment

·Do not break the fast before the evening puja

Remedies

·Chant the Skanda Shashti Kavacham for protection and courage

·Offer a vel or flower arch at a Murugan temple for removal of a stubborn obstacle

·Parents pray to Murugan for the health and progress of children

·Light a camphor flame and pray for clarity in a stalled decision

·Feed the poor with payasam or fruits

Daan (Donations)

FruitsPayasamYellow clothMilkFood to devotees

Lord Murugan (Skanda, Kartikeya, Subrahmanya)

Skanda Sashti

Murugan and the Victory of the Vel

#SkandaSashti#Murugan#Kartikeya#Subrahmanya#VelMuruga#DailyPanchang

Published July 29, 2026

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