← Vrat Calendar

Skanda Shashti (Soorasamharam)

Lord Murugan (Subramanya, Skanda, Karttikeya)

Shaiva Siddhanta

Get a reminder before the next Skanda Shashti (Soorasamharam)

At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

Remind me

Dates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.

Skanda Shashti / Kanda Sashti — the six-day vrat culminating in the Soorasamharam (the slaying of the asura Soorapadman by Murugan). Aippasi Shukla Pratipada to Shashti (Oct-Nov). Tiruchendur (one of the Aru Padai Veedu — Murugan's six abodes) hosts the most spectacular Soorasamharam reenactment, attended by over a million devotees. The Kanda Shashti Kavasam is recited continuously across Tamil Nadu.

Dates 2026–2027

November 10, 2026November 11, 2026November 12, 2026November 13, 2026November 14, 2026November 15, 2026October 30, 2027October 31, 2027November 1, 2027November 2, 2027November 3, 2027November 4, 2027

Mantra

ॐ शरवणभव

Om Saravana-Bhava

Salutations to Murugan, who appeared in the lotus-pond of saravana (sacred reeds) — the six-syllable Shadakshara mantra of Subramanya.

How to recite

Skanda Shashti is a six-day vrat from Aippasi Shukla Pratipada (Day 1) to Shashti (Day 6). Maintain phalahar through the six days, with strict fast on Shashti culminating in the Soorasamharam. Recite the Kanda Shashti Kavasam (the iconic Tamil Subramanya mantra of Devaraya Swamigal) daily — 36 verses invoking Murugan's protection. At Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruparankundram, Pazhamudircholai, and Tiruttani (the Aru Padai Veedu — six abodes), the Soorasamharam is enacted.

Benefits

Skanda Shashti commemorates Murugan's six-day battle against the asura Soorapadman, culminating in the Soorasamharam (the slaying of the demon and his transformation into Murugan's vahanas — peacock and rooster). The vrat grants protection from all evil influences and is the most popular Murugan vrat among Tamil Shaivas. The Kanda Shashti Kavasam is held to be the most powerful Murugan mantra of the modern era.

✦ Special Note

Tiruchendur's Soorasamharam at sunset on Day 6 is the spiritual peak. Murugan emerges from the temple in a procession to reenact the slaying of Soorapadman in the sea — the most attended single-day event in any Tamil Shaiva temple. Dates per the Thirukanthika Panchangam (Tamil Shaiva almanac, Chennai reckoning), cross-checked against astronomical tithi computation.

Foods Allowed

Phalahar — fresh fruits, especially mango (Murugan's beloved)Sabudana kheer and khichdiSundal (chickpeas with coconut tempering) — Murugan temple specialtyAkkaravadisal and sakkarai pongalCoconut, panchamrit, milkCurd rice and lemon rice — for parana on Day 6Vibhuti and kumkum (for puja, not eaten)Sendha namak only on fast days

Foods to Avoid

Onion, garlic, drumstick — alwaysMeat, fish, eggs, alcohol — strictly during Skanda Shashti vratAll grains during the strict 6-day vratAnything not first offered to Murugan

Meal Idea

Phalahar through Days 1-5; sundal as ritual offering at the Murugan temple; full vegetarian meal with curd rice and sundal as Shashti parana after the Soorasamharam at sunset.

Related vrats

Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.

Browse all Shaiva Siddhanta observances →

Get a reminder before the next Skanda Shashti (Soorasamharam)

At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

Remind me

Dates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.

Track this vrat in the app

Personalised timings, reminders, and fasting guides for your tradition.

Open VRAT App →