Murugan (Skanda, Kartikeya)
Skanda Sashti (Soorasamharam)
Six days of fast, one spear-cast — and the demon becomes the god's own peacock.
Tithi: Kartik Shukla Sashti — the six days ending in it
In the simplest words
Murugan's six-day battle festival — ending with Soorasamharam, when the demon he defeats becomes his own peacock and rooster. Even enemies can be transformed.
The story & purpose
Surapadman's tyranny had chained the devas; Skanda, six-faced child of Shiva's fire, led the divine army for six days. At Tiruchendur's shore he cast the vel — and the demon, split, surrendered: one half became the peacock Murugan rides, the other the rooster on his banner. The enemy is not destroyed but transformed into the vehicle.
Devotees keep the six-day Kanda Sashti vratam, many on liquids or single meals, reciting the Kanda Sashti Kavacham. On the sixth evening Tiruchendur re-enacts the Soorasamharam by the sea before lakhs — the year's great Murugan night.
What is done
Sashti vratam
Six days of fast per capacity, ending after Soorasamharam.
Kavacham path
The Kanda Sashti Kavacham daily — Murugan's armour of verses.
Vel puja
The spear honoured with milk and vibhuti; 'Vetrivel Muruganukku arohara!'
Shashti jaap
Om Saravanabhavaya Namah through the six days.
Best timings
Daily puja at dawn and dusk; the Soorasamharam enactment at sunset of day six.
Exact muhurat varies by city and tradition — for the precise hour, consult a local panchang for your location.
Worth knowing
This sashti shares its tithi with Chhath — Skanda's day south, Surya's day north, one calendar.
The day after, Tiruchendur celebrates Murugan's wedding to Deivanai — victory completed by grace.
All six abodes — Arupadai Veedu — overflow this week, Palani above all.