According to Hindu calendar, Shashthi Tithi is celebrated as Skanda Shashthi. Shashti Tithi is the birth date of Lord Skanda. The Sasthi Tithi of Lord Skanda is celebrated with great enthusiasm in South India. In South India, Lord Skanda is worshipped far and wide. Lord Skanda is known by many names. While in North India he is called Kartikeya, in South India he is called Skanda.
Skanda Shashthi Tithi is celebrated with reverence and faith. Kritikas are worshiped on this day. Lord Skanda is worshipped in Puja. Along with Skanda ji, the Shiva family is also worshiped. Lord Skanda is said to be married in some places and unmarried in some places. There are many stories in North India where Lord Kartikeya is said to be unmarried. However, in South India Lord Kartikeya-Murugan Swami is depicted with his two wives by the names Devasena and Valli.
Other names for Lord Skanda
On the day of Skanda Shashthi, devotees perform Puja with full devotion. Fast is also observed on this day. The devotee consumes only fruits. Lord Skanda deity is worshipped. Lord Skanda is also called by several other names like Karthikeya, Murugan and Subrahmanyam etc. The tradition of celebrating this festival especially has been going on since ancient times. Special Pujas are conducted in temples at the time of this festival. Skanda Dev is said to be the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, he is Ganesh’s brother. He was made the commander of all the Gods.
When and how to observe Skanda Shashthi fast
Lord Skanda is worshiped on Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha Shashthi Tithi. Worshiping Lord Skanda on Shashthi Tithi that comes in every month brings happiness and prosperity to the family. The Skanda Shashthi fast and its glory are described in the Skandpuran. This fast is more prevalent in South India. In some places, this fast is observed on the Shashti Tithi of Krishna Paksha.
Skanda Shashthi fast can be observed at any time. Kartikeya should be worshiped on Shashthi while observing the fast. This fast can be started in any month of the year. The practice of starting this fast is more prevalent in the Shashti of Chaitra, Ashwin, Margashirsha and Kartik month.
To begin with, before commencing with the fast, one must resolve to observe the fast. On this day, on the occasion of Shashti Tithi, Lord Shiva and Parvati are worshiped along with Lord Skanda Lord Ji on the occasion of Shashthi Tithi. After observing this fast for a whole year, the fast should be ended. Special worship is done in temples. As per mythological stories observing the Skanda Shashti brings in a lot of benefits.
There is another prevalent story about a sage called Chyavan Rishi. He could not see and so he worshipped Lord Skanda for vision. Chyavan Rishi observes the Skanda Shashti fast and Lord Skanda blesses him with vision. Similarly, Priyavrat gets blessed with children when she observes the same fast. These are examples of the benefits of this fast which are found in our Dharmik books.
Skanda Shashti Puja Rules
- On the day of Skanda Shashti, one should take a bath and wear clean clothes.
- The names of Lord Skanda should be remembered and chanted.
- A statue or picture of Skanda God should be placed at the place of worship. Along with this, a statue or picture of Lord Shiva, Mother Gauri, Lord Ganesha should also be placed.
- Tilak should be applied to Lord Kartikeya. Akshat, turmeric and sandalwood should be offered.
- A Kalash should be set before God and a coconut should also be placed on it.
- Panchamrit, fruits, nuts, flowers etc. should be offered to the Lord.
- A lamp of ghee should be lit in front of God.
- Fragrance and flowers should be offered to God.
- Skanda Shashti Mahatmya should be recited.
- Skanda Bhagwan Aarti should be performed and Bhog should be offered.
- The Prasad should be consumed by self and should also be distributed among all.
- Worshiping Lord Skanda removes all troubles and happiness in the family leads to prosperity.
Skandashthi fast leads to the blessings of progeny
Those who are not able to conceive children should observe this fast for progeny. This leads to success, happiness and prosperity. The fast of Skanda Shashti is observed for the blessings of a child and their happy future. This fast is very effective for those couples who are deprived of child happiness or who are not getting the happiness of children due to any reason.
Skandashti Fasting Glory
Skanda Shashti Puja relieves grief. It ends poverty in life. Observing the fast on this day absolves one from sins. One who observes this fast by following all the rules and rituals is sure to come out victorious. Success at work is assured. Obstructed projects commence again. Any type of illness or problem which may be troubling for a long time also comes to an end. Lighting an Akhand Diya in Shashti Puja also calms the negativity present in life. Reciting the Skanda Shashti Mahatmya increases the fruits of the fast manifold.
Skand Shahsti fast plays a very important role in Navgraha Shanti. Skanda Shashti Tithi is also very auspicious for Mangal Shanti. Worshiping Lord Kartikeya on this day makes the devotee courageous and strong. According to astrology, if Mars is weak or not auspicious in any person’s horoscope then worshipping Lord Kartikeya brings in very auspicious results and helps in eliminating the inauspicious effects of planet Mars. Premature death can also be prevented by worshipping Lord Skanda.