Surrender, surrender and surrender to the Shanmuga.

Importance of Shasti





Shashti is a day of importance to Sri Murugan. It usually falls a few days after Amavasai of the month. Sashti or sixth day of the full moon and the sixth day of the new moon are favorite days for Lord Muruga. Devotees undertake fasting and prayers on the occurrence of this day every month for a period usually a year or three years. The occurrence of Shashti during the Malayalam month of Thulam (October-November) is considered of great importance and celebrated as Skanda Shashti. Devotees organise Bhajan and Kirtan programs on a grand scale. Several devotees of Muruga observe partial or full fast on each Sashti day and throughout the Skanda Sashti period.


Skanda-Shashti
Skanda Shashti festival celebrates the appearance of Lord Murugan in this temporal world. It is the day on which Lord Subramanya defeated the demon Taraka. Murugan, representing the good, fights Tarakasuran, a demon who represents evil or the dark forces. It is interesting to note that this festival comes immediately after Navarathiri and Deepavali. Its symbolism is very similar to that of Deepavali and Navarathiri- Victory of good over evil. Narakasuran represents the dark forces and Lord Krishna represents the good. Similarly, Shakthi, the goddess representing the good, destroys the evil and dark forces represented by Mahishasuran after the nine night festival, Navarathiri.
Another feature found in the Skandapuranam (the story of Lord Muruga), is that its similarity in some aspects to Ramayana. Like Sri Rama, Murugan also goes to war with Veerabadran and as in Ramayana, Murugan sends off the defenseless Tarakasuran to return the following day fully decked with weapons to fight him. Devotees fast for this period and meditate on the glory of Lord Murugan. Married couples who do not have any children offer their special prayers to seek Murugan's blessings for a child.
It is a period when Lord Murugan's devotees recite the hymns Skanda Shasti Kavacham- the protective Armour of Lord Murugan. Skanda Shasti Kavacham is a short composition of powerful hymns containing special mantras. Through these matters, the composer, a sage cum poet Thevarayar, seeks Murugan's blessings to protect him against all evil forces such as the devils, goblins and protection of his body against all sickness.
Though he had composed six such kavachams or Armour of hymns in honour of each of the six celebrated abodes of Murugan, the one composed at Thiruchendur is most popular and is recited by devotees. This is because, Thevarayar, who was despondent with his severe ulcer pain was cured at this abode of Murugan.

The day after Soorasamharam is known as Subramanya Shashti which is also known as Kukke Subramanya Sashti and falls during lunar month Margashirsha.


The following are some general rules to observe during these six days:


Non-vegetarian food is completely avoided during the period.
Avoiding garlic and onions. (Please refer to the article on “Garlic and onion”). For those, especially those who are new to vratas, and who are not vegetarians may not strictly observe this rule. Still and all, the food that they offer the Lord as prashad should not contain these two vegetable. (Again, refer to the article on them.)
Recite Skanda Shasti Kavasam in the morning and evening.
Go to Lord Murugan’s temple or any temple where He is. (If this too is not possible, visit any temple, leastways).
A single meal a day. (For those who cannot observe this—refers to “people who are new to this vrata”—may eat their usual meals; but only vegetarian or water/fruit meal.
Medical Benefits
Besides its spiritual benefits, Shasti vratam has various medical benefits too. It cleanses the body of all impurities, and cures the body of a lot of dangerous diseases.


Other Miscellaneous Information about the Vratam


When “Panchami Tithi” ends or “Shashti Tithi” starts between sunrise and sunset then both Panchami and Sashti are conjugated and this day is chosen for Skanda Sashti Vratam. This rule has been mentioned in Dharmasindhu and Nirnayasindhu. Many Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu, including famous Sri Subrahmanya Swami Devasthanam in Tiruchendur, follow the same rule and Soorasamharam day is observed one day before Sashti Tithi if on previous day Sashti Tithi is combined with Panchami Tithi.


Temples Dedicated to Lord Murugan


Following six abodes, which are known as Arupadaiveedu, are the most important shrines for Murugan devotees in Tamilnadu, India.


Palani Murugan Temple (100 km south east of Coimbatore)
Swamimalai Murugan Temple (Near Kumbakonam)
Thiruthani Murugan Temple (84 km from Chennai)
Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple (10 km north of Madurai)
Sri Subrahmanya Swami Devasthanam, Tiruchendur (40 km south of Thoothukudi)
Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple (10 km south of Madurai)
Marudamalai Murugan Temple (a suburb of Coimbatore) is another important shrine.


Kukke Subramanya Temple, near Mangalore, Karnataka, India is also very famous shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan



End Note
It must be noted that ‘Vrat’ or ‘Vratam’ in Sanskrit means ‘vow.’ Vratam should not be misunderstood as mere fasting. By observing a Vratam a person is trying to purify his mind through meditation, worship and by sticking to some ‘vow’ that he/she has taken. Now, this vow can include fasting, not telling lies, not getting anger etc. A vratam should be seen as a deliberate attempt on your part to bring back discipline into your life.

Fasting is not just abstaining from food but it also an attempt to instill positive thoughts. Many people use fasting as a means to fight against anger, lust, impatience and other negative tendencies. All Vratas associated with Hindu religion is an attempt to realize the Brahman.
Fasting should be voluntary and it should not be done unwillingly. If you are taking medicines, do not observe intense fasting and stick to the routine suggested by your doctor.


Let Lord Kanda bestow his blessings on all his Devotees..