Shasti: Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance
Shasti or ‘Shashti’ is an auspicious day for Hindus belonging to the Tamil community. This day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Murugan. On this day Muruga devotees observe fasting to please their lord and invoke His blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
Shasti May 2024
Shasti is observed on the sixth day of each lunar fortnight, that is, Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) and Krishna Paksha (the period of waning phase of moon) of every lunar month in the traditional Hindu calendar. Thus there are two occurrences of Shasti every month. However, Shasti that falls during the Krishna Paksha is associated with Lord Subrahmanya or Lord Murugan.
Shasti 2024 is on May 13 Monday
13 days to go for the event
Shashthi Tithi Timing :
May 13, 2:04 am - May 14, 2:50 am
Rituals of Shasti
Fasting is the most important ritual of the day. On Shasti, devotees keep a partial or full fasting to appease Lord Murugan. The Shasti vrat begins at the time of sunrise and comes to an end on the following day after offering prayers to the Sun God.
Those who keep strict vrat do not eat food for complete 24 hours of fasting. Partial fasting can be done by eating fruits. People who have health problems can even keep Shasti fasting by eating s single meal during the day.
The observer of the Shasti vrat is restricted from eating certain spices on the day. Eating non-vegetarian food and consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
On Shasti, Murugan devotees also read ‘Skanda Purana’ and recite the ‘Skanda Shasti Kavacham’. On this day it is considered very auspicious to visit the temples of Lord Murugan in the evening.
Important Timings On Shasti 2024
| Shashthi Tithi Timing | May 13, 02:04 AM - May 14, 02:50 AM |
| Place : Ujjain [ India ] See More | |
Significance of Shasti 2024:
Shasti is the day of worshipping Lord Murugan. He is the Hindu God of War who is known by different names like ‘Kartikeya’, ‘Subramaniya’, ‘Skanda’, ‘Kumara Swami’ and ‘Kumaran’.
Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Deva’s army. Lord Murugan is primarily worshipped in area with Tamil population.
The six important shrines of Lord Murugan are located in Tamil Nadu itself. According to the Hindu legends, it was on the day of Shasti that Lord Murugan defeated the demon named ‘Soorapadman’.
It is believed that a person who offers prayers and observes fasting on Shasti will generously receive blessings of Lord Murugan.
All Shasti dates in 2024
| January 16th Tuesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Jan 16, 2:17 AM - Jan 16, 11:58 PM |
| February 15th Thursday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Feb 14, 12:10 PM - Feb 15, 10:13 AM |
| March 15th Friday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Mar 14, 11:26 PM - Mar 15, 10:09 PM |
| April 14th Sunday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Apr 13, 12:04 PM - Apr 14, 11:44 AM |
| May 13th Monday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : May 13, 2:04 AM - May 14, 2:50 AM |
| June 12th Wednesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Jun 11, 5:27 PM - Jun 12, 7:17 PM |
| July 12th Friday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Jul 11, 10:04 AM - Jul 12, 12:33 PM |
| August 10th Saturday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Aug 10, 3:14 AM - Aug 11, 5:45 AM |
| September 9th Monday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Sep 08, 7:58 PM - Sep 09, 9:53 PM |
| October 9th Wednesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Oct 08, 11:18 AM - Oct 09, 12:14 PM |
| November 7th Thursday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Nov 07, 12:41 AM - Nov 08, 12:35 AM |
| December 7th Saturday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Dec 06, 12:08 PM - Dec 07, 11:06 AM |