Skanda Sashti 2026

Skanda Sashti

What is Skanda Sashti?

Skanda Sashti is the monthly fast for Lord Murugan (Skanda, Kartikeya, Subramanya), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, on the Shashthi (sixth day) of Shukla Paksha. It is widely kept in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities everywhere.

The most important is the Skanda Sashti of Aippasi (Kartika Shukla Shashthi), the culmination of a six-day fast that celebrates Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman (Soorasamharam), staged at Tiruchendur and other Murugan temples.

Which day is it kept?

Skanda Sashti is kept on the day Shashthi prevails at sunset, so it is often the day on which Panchami ends and Shashthi begins. The dates on this page are for your location.

How the fast is kept

Devotees fast from sunrise, taking fruit or one simple meal, and recite the Kanda Sashti Kavacham. They visit a Murugan temple, offer red flowers and fruit, and break the fast after the evening puja.