Subramanya Shashti ( Skanda Shahsti ) is one of the major festivals dedicated to Lord Subramanya (Karthikeya, Shanmukha, Skanda), the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Shashti of everymonth is dedicated to Lord Subramanya but the Shukla Paksha Sashti in the the month of ‘Margashira Masam’ is special and is celebrated with special Pooja’s and Abhishekams across South India.
Especially the Temples dedicated to Subramanya, Kukke Subramanya, Swami mali, Tiruttani, Palanai, celebrate this festival with lot gaiety and fervor. In other Parts of the country it us celebrated as Malhari Shashti, Champa Shashti, Guha Shahsti.
Significance
The auspicious observance of Subramanya Sashti 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 Subramanya is worshipped in the form of a 5-headed snake. It is a popular belief that one who worships Lord Subramanya on this day is freed from ‘Sarpa Dosha’. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Subramanya is the General of Gods army and is also known to be sharper of all gods. A person who gets the darshan of Lord Subramanya and performs rituals like ‘daan’ and ‘snan’ on the day of Subramanya Sashti will be freed from all his/her sins, even those equivalent to ‘Brahma Hatya
Story of Subramanya Shashti ( Skanda Shahsti )
Demon Surapadma was troubling the three worlds on account of the invincible boon he received. The gods approached Lord Shiva. Lord Subramanya was manifested by Lord Shiva from his third eye through six effulgent sparks which later unified as a child with six faces by Goddess Parvati. Lord Murugan received the divine Vel from his mother. The battle lasted for six days, and the demon was vanquished on the Sashti day. Owing to the prayers of the demon, Lord Muruga bestowed immortality on him by converting him as a peacock, which became his mount. The Subramanya Sashti Vrat is highly efficacious to win the blessings of Lord Subramanya and confers all prosperity on the devotees.
Rituals of Subramanya Shashti ( Skanda Shahsti )
On the day of Subramanya Sashti, devotees get up at sunrise and take a sacred bath preferably in the rivers.
Devotees dedicate this day to Lord Subramanya by reading His stories and singing bhajans and kirtans in the praise of their lord.
On Subramanya Sashti, 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 Subramanya Sashti. 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 Subramanya Sashti vrat.
Special prayers and rituals are held in Lord Subramanya 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 Subramanya Sashti is considered very rewarding. It is a good act to donate clothes, food and other essentials to the poor and needy on this day.
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