Subrahmanya Shasthi

Subrahmanya Shasthi, also known as Skanda Subrahmanya Shasthi is an important festival for Hindus that is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya (Skanda). It is observed on the ‘Shasthi’ (6th day) tithi during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) in the month of ‘Margashira’ as per the traditional Hindu calendar. For those following the Gregorian calendar, this date falls between the months of November-December. Lord Subrahmanya is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is known by different names like ‘Kartikeya’, ‘Velan Kumaran’, ‘Murugan’ and ‘Tamil Kadavul (the God of Tamils). For this reason this day is also celebrated with different names like ‘Kartikeya Subrahmanya Shasthi’ and ‘Kukke Subrahmanya Shasthi’.

Moreover this day is also known as ‘Subrahmanya Champa Shasthi ‘when the Shukla Paksha Shasthi tithi of the Margashira month falls on a Sunday. Subrahmanya Shasthi holds special significance for Lord Kartikeya followers as it marks the triumph of Lord Subrahmanya over the demon named Tarakasura. Subrahmanya Shasthi is celebrate with immense fervour and gaiety in the southern parts of the country, namely in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most awaited events in South India.

Subrahmanya Sashti 2024 is on December 06 Friday

7 months and 6 days to go for the event

Lord Murugan

Rituals during Subrahmanya Shasthi:

• On the day of Subrahmanya Shasthi, devotees get up at sunrise and take a sacred bath in the holy rivers such as Ganga, Narmada and Yamuna to name a few.
• Devotees dedicate this day to Lord Murugan by reading His stories and singing bhajans and kirtans in the praise of their lord.
• On Subrahmanya Shasthi, devotees worship Lord Kartikeya with full devotion. They offer milk on the snake mound form of the lord along with other puja offerings. Offering milk on this day relieves the person from any ‘Sapra Dosha’. Special naivedya from urad dal is prepared and offered to the lord.
• Some devotees also keep a fast on the day of Subrahmanya Shasthi. The observer of this fast must take only one meal during the day. Food containing onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food is completely avoided during the Subrahmanya Shasthi vrat.
• Special prayers and rituals are held in Lord Subrahmanya temples on this day. There are two ancient and important shrines dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the Palani in Tamil Nadu and Kukke Subramanya Temple in Karnataka. Thousands of devotees throng these temples to witness these grand events.
• Doing charity on the day of Subrahmanya Shasthi is considered very rewarding. It is a good act to donate clothes, food and other essentials to the poor and needy on this day.

Important Timings On Subrahmanya Sashti 2024

Significance of Subrahmanya Shasthi:

The auspicious observance of Subrahmanya Shasthi is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva who was born with an intention of killing the demon Tarakasura. On this day Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped in the form of a 5-headed snake. It is a popular belief that one who worships Lord Subrahmanya on this day is freed from ‘Sarpa Dosha’. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Subrahmanya is the General of Gods army and is also known to be sharper of all gods. A person who gets the darshan of Lord Subrahmanya and performs rituals like ‘daan’ and ‘snan’ on the day of Subrahmanya Shasthi will be freed from all his/her sins, even those equivalent to ‘Brahma Hatya’.

Subrahmanya Sashti festival dates between 2020 & 2030

Other Related Festivals