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, and 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 transformed into the vehicle rather than destroyed.
The rest of the story
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, the Arupadai Veedu, overflow this week, Palani above all.