Skanda Shashti

On November 24, 2017, Skanda Shashti was celebrated. Every Shashti is important for begetting children and their welfare. Ladies fast without salt. Skanda Shashti is more important because a divine force conquered evil on this day.

When Sati consigned herself to Yogaagni in Daksha’s Yagya, demons became powerful and began to trouble the Devas and humans alike. Among the demons, Tarakasura was the most powerful. He had a boon that only Lord Shiva’s son could kill him. But, Lord Shiva had become an ascetic after the death of Sati. Tarakasura tortured the Devas, to the extent that the heaven was about to collapse.

The Devas went to Lord Brahma with Their request. Lord Brahma sent Them to Lord Shiva. At that time, Goddess Sati had been born as Himalayaputri Parvati and was performing penance to attain Lord Shiva as Her husband. At the behest of the Devas, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati.

Goddess Parvati made Lord Ganesha appear from the dirt on Her body. Lord Shiva opened His third eye and 6 flames were thrown by it into the pond called Sharavana Poigai. The flames became 6 infants and 6 Kartigai Pengal or girls took care of Them.

One day, Goddess Parvati realized that all These children were born to Her husband and hugged Them together. This act resulted in the 6 children being united into one child with 6 heads. Since then, Goddess Parvati became Skanda Mata because the child, who was Lord Murugan, has the name of Skanda, as well.

Lord Murugan killed Tarakasura as the Commander-in-chief of the Devas in a war, on this very day. Tarakasura’s 2 brothers – Simhamukhan and Surapadman became Goddess Parvati’s vehicle (lion) and Lord Murugan’s vehicle (peacock), respectively. Since it was a Shashti, it is called Skanda Shashti because Skanda came to the rescue of the Devas. On this day, worshipping the Shiva Parivar is very beneficial.

If Lord Murugan’s photo or idol is not available, we can place a 6 faced rudraksha also in the worship area. Reading Skanda Shashti Kavacham is beneficial. Some people may chant Vel Vrutham, Skanda Ashtotram, etc. Naivedyam would be in 6 numbers, like – 6 laddoos, 6 almonds, 6 pistachios, 6 cashew nuts, 6 walnuts, 6 dried grapes, etc.