This year, the festival of Skanda Shashthi will be celebrated on Ashada, Shukla Shashthi on Friday, July 24, 2024. Lord Skanda is worshiped on this day of Skanda Shashthi. Lord Skanda eradicates all kinds of sufferings from a person’s life.
Skanda Shashthi Puja Muhurat Time
- Skanda Shashthi starts - 11 July at 10:05
- Skanda Shashti concludes - 12 July 12:33
Skanda Shashthi Tithi is also called Kanda Shashthi. Lord Karthikeya's is associated with this date. Skanda Lord’s birth time has been linked to the Shashthi Tithi. Skanda worship has been very important all over India, but in South India, the festival of Skanda Shashthi is even more profound. According to beliefs and stories, the relationship of God has been very deep with the south. There is a popular story that explains the reason behind this relationship.
Skanda Shashti Importance
Worshiping Lord Skanda, observing a fast, carrying out a Puja etc. on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashada month brings in blessings from Trideva. Problems of progeny are solved by observing this fast. If one’s child is having problems, then observing this fast, performing its Puja as per rituals ensures the child is freed from all types of issues. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should also be worshiped on this day along with Lord Skanda.
Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati's son Skanda is considered to be Ganesh's elder brother. Just as Chaturthi Tithi is related to Ganesha’s birth, Shashthi is associated with Skanda’s birth. There is a difference of 1 day which is Panchami Tithi between the birth and Puja of these two brothers.
Traditionally people have been fasting on the Shashthi to appease Lord Skanda. Shashti is considered as the best Tithi to observe a fast for Lord Skanda. Skanda Bhagwan is also called Kumar because his form always remains the same. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. Worshipping Lord Skanda brings in auspiciousness from all directions. Vastu Doshas ends and negative energy is removed.
Skanda Bhagwan Katha
The birth story of Lord Skanda is read and heard on Skanda Shashthi. Along with this, other stories of God are also heard on this day. According to ancient texts, once the sage Narada Muni went to Kailash with a fruit, both Ganesha and Skanda debated for the fruit. To resolve this a competition was arranged. It was decided the child who finishes three rounds of the earth first will receive the fruit. That the first person who takes three rounds of the earth will get the fruit. Skanda mounts his peacock and starts his three rounds of the earth. However, when he returns back, he is surprised to find Ganesha still there. Ganesha had simply taken three rounds of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hence the fruit was given to him. This upset Skanda and he went towards the south direction.
The other side of the same story is that while Skanda mounts his peacock, Ganesha mounts his pet which is a mouse. No matter what the mouse will not be able to move as fast as the peacock. In such a situation Ganehsa applies his intelligence, tells that you are my world and takes three rounds of them. In this way, he receives the fruit. Skanda however disagrees and says there is no logic to this theory. He gets angry and upset and goes south. This is the reason Skanda is worshipped on a large scale in South India.
Skanda Dev and Tarkasur Sangram
Lord Skanda was born to complete a special task. There was once a very powerful monster Tarkasur. He went through hard penance to acquire strength. On becoming powerful he conquered the kingdom of the Devtas based on the strength of his penance. He was also blessed by Brahma Ji with a boon that only Shiva’s son could kill him.
The power of Tarakasura increases greatly and he expels the Devas from their place and starts torturing them. The Devas seek shelter from Brahma Ji and ask for a solution. Brahma informs them that Takasur can be defeated only by Shiva's son. On knowing this the Devas start praying to Lord Shiva. In order to fulfill the Deva’s wishes Lord Shiva gets married to Goddess Parvati and Skanda is born.
Skanda is made the commander of the Devas. A great war ensues between the Devas and the Asuras, in which Skanda slays Tarakasura and restores the position of the Devas.
Why is Kumar called Skanda Dev
Lord Skanda is worshiped in child form and youth. Kartikeya received the boon of always being young from the Devas and hence he is also called Kumar. Swami Karthikeya is also the commander of the army, so worshiping him for victory in any war and battle is also auspicious. Prestige, victory, order, discipline of military power are derived from them.
Rules of Skanda Shashthi Puja and fast
On Skanda Shashthi, along with Skanda God, his family should also be worshiped. Everyone along with Lord Skanda including Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh should be placed in the temple for Puja. Akhand Diya should also be lit in front of Skanda Lord. Lord Skanda should be given a bath. On this day Skanda Lord should be offered saffron, milk, seasonal fruits, nuts etc. Prasad should be distributed after the Puja Katha.