Skanda Sashti 2026 Date
Skanda Sashti 2026 is on Sunday, 15 November 2026, on Shasti tithi.
Dates are for India (IST). Tithi timings for your city are on the Skanda Sashti page.
About Skanda Sashti
Skanda Sashti marks the sixth and final day of Murugan's war on the demon Surapadman — not Tarakasura. The climax, called Soorasamharam, is re-enacted on stage at Tiruchendur every Aippasi (Oct–Nov), with Murugan's wedding to Devasena, Tiru Kalyanam, performed the next day.
The six days of the vratam mirror the six days of battle. On day six, Murugan hurls his Vel — a lance gifted by his mother Parashakti, which is why he is called Sakthi Velan. Surapadman, struck down, is split into two halves: one becomes Murugan's peacock mount, the other the rooster on his flag. Devotees often recite the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, a Tamil hymn by Devaraya Swamigal, through the fast. The number six is woven through everything — Murugan's six faces (Shanmukha), the six-syllable mantra Saravanabhava, the six battle days. At Sikkal near Nagapattinam, the utsava murti (festival idol) receives the Vel from the Goddess's shrine the day before Soorasamharam and is said to break out in a visible sweat as the battle nears.
