Skanda Shashti Vratam Begins: The Sacred Festival of Lord Murugan and Soora Samharam

Skanda Shashti Vratam is a renowned Hindu festival, dedicated to Lord Muruga also known as Lord Skanda, Kartikeya and Subramanya. He is revered as the god of courage and victory. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Tamil Nadu and the families also observe this vratam at home by praying and visiting the temples of Lord Muruga.

Skanda Shashti Vratam is celebrated for six days in the Tamil month of Aippasi which usually falls in October or November. It is believed that Lord Muruga killed the demon Soorapadman and this last day of the festival is also known as Soora Samharam. Lord Muruga’s victory is joyfully celebrated by millions of devotees as it signifies victory of good over evil.

Significance of Skanda Shashti Vratam

According to mythology, the demon Soorapadman and his demons created lots of chaos for the Devas. As they were not able to defeat the demon, Devas prayed to Lord Shiva for the divine weapon to kill the demon. Lord Shiva gifted Lord Muruga Vel (a divine spear) blessed by Goddess Parvati. Lord Muruga killed the demon Soorapadman with great courage and this day is celebrated as Soor Samharam. This day signifies that everyone can achieve their goal by having faith in God and also signifies the victory of good over evil.

Observing Skanda Shashti Vratam is considered to bring the blessings of Lord Muruga to the devotees. People also pray to Lord Muruga for a healthy family, prosperity and strength to face all the challenges in their life. It is also believed that observing this vratam with sincerity helps the devotees to develop certain good habits. The prime objective of observing this vratam is to worship Lord Muruga and to follow his teachings.

How to observe Shashthi Vratam

To observe Shashti Vratam, people take bath early in the morning and pray to the Lord Muruga. The devotees also decorate their houses beautifully and put variety of flowers and fruits as offerings to the God. Chanting of Om Saravanabhavaya Namah mantra and reading of stories of Lord Muruga are also done on this day.

The fasting is also considered an important ritual of this vratam but it varies from family to family. Some people observe strict fasting while some people take fruits and milk during this period. One must choose the way of fasting suitable for their body. The key idea is to pray to Lord Muruga sincerely. To mark this day devotees visit the temples of Lord Muruga where special pujas, abhishekams, devotional songs and other rituals are organized. The reading of Kanda Shashti Kavasam, a classic Tamil devotional poem, is also considered a great practice to complete the six day vratam. Devotees try to spend more time in prayers, meditation, self-control and self-analysis during these six days.

Soora Samharam: The Victory of Good over Evil

Soora Samharam is the last day of Skanda Shashti which commemorates the victory of Lord Muruga over the demon Soorapadman. Special dramas showcasing the valor and achievements of Lord Muruga are enacted in all the major temples of Lord Muruga and this day is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Tiruchendur Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu is the most famous one for this function.

According to the legend, when Lord Muruga killed the demon Soorapadman, the demon’s body took the form of a mango tree to escape the Vel (the divine spear) of Lord Muruga. However, Lord Muruga cut the tree in two halves with his Vel. The left half of the tree turned into a peacock and the right half turned into a rooster. Lord Muruga made the peacock his vehicle and the rooster his flag bearer. The devotees believe that Lord Subramanya showed mercy to the demon Soorapadman by giving him an opportunity to take birth as a peacock.

Soora Samharam is not just the celebration of the victory of Lord Subramanya over the evil but it also inspires the devotees to fight all the evil forces in their lives. Just like Lord Subramanya fights the demons to establish peace and prosperity, in the same way, people also need to fight the anger, jealousy, ego and other negative emotions residing within them to lead a happy and healthy life.

Celebrating Skanda Shashti at Home

People can celebrate this festival by decorating their house beautifully and making a small prayer space in their house. They can also offer flowers and fruits as a mark of devotion to Lord Muruga. Observing this vratam at home also involves keeping a fast and praying to the God. Devotees can read the stories of Lord Muruga and his victory over the demons which will definitely inspire them to be a better person. The children can also learn about Lord Muruga and the significance of Soora Samharam through their parents during this period.

Devotees can also prepare traditional vegetarian food as an offering to the God. They can also share this food with their family members and friends. The family members can also attend the religious functions organized in the temples of Lord Subramanya. The devotees should keep this festival as an important reminder of developing good habits by spending quality time in prayers and meditation.

Skanda Shashti Vratam motivates people to develop faith in God and to have courage and strength to face all the adversities in life. The devotees of Lord Muruga observe this vratam by visiting the temples of Lord Muruga and offer their prayers to him. They also celebrate Soora Samharam with great enthusiasm and devotion. All the faithful believe that Lord Subramanya will bless them with peace of mind, prosperity and a happy life.