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Birth of Lord Karthikeya:


This is the story about birth of Lord Muruga, born from the third eye of Lord Shiva.


There was an Asura (Demon) Soorapadman who defeated devas and was full of evil thoughts. Devas headed by Indra sort the help of Brahma, but brahma said to Indra that Soorapadman can't be defeated because he got grace from me by deep penance. He can be defeated only by the hero, created from the spark of Lord Shiva. So all went to Shiva, but he was at deep meditation. They sort the help of Parvati mata and Kama to make Lord Shiva out of meditation.


Parvathi accepts and decides to perform deep penance to attain Shiva's attention. Kama also agreed and made himself towards a desperate attempt to make him out from his Samadhi. Kama shot his arrow of love towards Lord Shiva, which made Shiva out of his meditation. The anger fired from the third eyes of Lord Shiva made Kama into ashes.


None of the can bear his arose fire of anger of Lord Shiva the spark of six such as Sathyojatham, Vamadevam, Thathpurusham,Eesanam, Aghoram and Atho enter into the mouth of Agni and received by Ganga and she returns it to the Saravana lake, thus the Saravanabava was born. He is also called as Skanda (Shiva's power of chastity).


Skanda was raised by the six Krithikai mothers; Karthikeya divided into six babies to bring up by six mothers. He became Shanmukha (one body with six faces) while parvati took him to the Kailash. He becomes Kumara- young and handsome.


War between Asura and Lord Skanda:


Skanda appointed has the general head of the army of Devas. He Saravana was gifted a Vel from Parvati. Lord Shiva gifted with Eleven Rudras and Eleven Weapons. The team headed by Lord Muruga went to the battle. The war starts and it waged for six days. On the sixth day from the new moon day of Ayipasi (sashti) Lord Skanda assassinates the team of Asura and eradicates the evil power Soorapadaman.


Skanda_Sashti_Story


Soorapadman into two halves and made apart aspeacock and another one as cock. Peacock as Skanda vehicle and cock as emblem in flag. This day is celebrated as Skanda Sashti and Devas started to live in divine world with purity.


Lord Murugan Thirukalyanam:


The next day of soorasamharam is the Thirukalyanam (Marriage of Lord Murugan with Devayanai). Devayanai is the daughter Indra. Skanda married Devayanai as the reward of wining in the battle against asuras. Devayanai is also called as Devasena represents the Kriya Sakthi (Power of action).




Skanda Sashti Viratham:


Vratam is a Sanskrit word Vrata means Vow, in extension it is adhering to certain principles and disciplines. Skanda Sashti ritual is celebrated for six days; especially fasting is a part of it. The devotees observe fast for all the six days before the Sashti day. Lord Muruga defends us from all certain difficulties during Vrat. Skanda afford us with all energy and power to observe fasting. Lord Skanda and his Vel protect us from any kind of difficulties. During Vratam mind and soul should be focused totally on Lord Skanda.


Skanda sashti viratham procedure


  •  Skanda sashti vrata is for Lord Muruga and fasting should be for six days. Devotees should fast all the six days. Only liquid foods like fresh juices and fruits can be taken.  If not possible to fast without food, one time food is recommended.
  •  To preserve purity one should not have any foods or juices from outside.
  • Purify yourself daily and do puja in the morning and evening for Lord Muruga. Recite Skanda Sashti Kavasam daily during puja.
  • Avoid non-veg food items, alcohol, indulging in any unwanted quarrels.
  • Fasting is not to purify body alone it is to purify the mind also so do meditation, believe in god totally.


Skanda Sashti kavacham mahima:


Skanda Sashti Kavasam recitation is the important step in Sashti Vratam. Sashti kavacham is more powerful mantra which is written by Devaraya Swamigal. Devaraya swamigal is the student of Meenakshi sundram pillai and he wrote two great epic Kuselo Bakkiyaanam and Suutha Sangithai.


Devaraya swamigal got incurable stomach ache and decided it can be cured only by God grace. So he prayed to Lord Senthilnathan (first day of Sashti). His pain reduced day by day and it was cured. So Swamigal decides to wear Kalaadai (Kavi dress) and start to sing Six Kavacham and completes it on the Sashti day.


Sashti Kavacham is more powerful reciting it 36 times a day showers us with wealth. Devotees can attain Blessings of Lord Skanda, Strength, Good health, Wealth, Protection from evils, cleanse negative thoughts and one can feel the divine strength alongside while the recitation of the Sashti Kavacham.


Sashti kavacham with lyrics



Skanda sashti is an important festival which is devoted to Lord Skanda. Lord Skanda is otherwise called as Karthigeya, Muruga, Subramaya and Karthik. Sashti always falls on sixth day from the new moon day of every month. November month (Aipapasi) Sashti is called as Skanda Sashti. This is famous because, Lord Skanda defeated the evil demon Soorapadman in the war and saved Devas. This war continues for six days, on the sixth day Skanda exterminated the demon. So the Sixth day is called Soorasamharam. The next day is Thirukalayana vaibhavam of Lord Karik with Devayanai.


This festival is celebrated in all Murugan temples in a grand manner. This ritual is more auspicious for Hindus to observe fasting and get the divine strength from Lord Kartik. This year Skanda Sashti Six days celebrations starts from Prathamai (12th Nov 2015) and culminates at(17th Nov 2015). Devotees observe fasting for all the six days and complete fasting on the seventh day in Thirukalyanam.




Importance of Skanda Sashti:


Skanda Sashti viratham has many mythological facts of significance which found evidence in many puranas. Skanda Purana represents the deeds of Lord Skanda. The king Muchukunda (King of South India) with the advice of sage Vasishta about the correct observances of the skanda Sashti viratham, King decided to observe Skanda Sashti viratham and completes with full of piety. After that he become a most powerful king else before that Lord Indra seeks the help of King Muchukunda to defeat the Asuras.


Every one of us has the potential to realize God.Skanda Sashti viratham makes us to realize and mesmerize in the divinity of Lord Subramanya. Skanda Sashti Viratham is to cleanse our body and soul both from the rule of evil power. Pray to him solemnly and invoke his abet and obtain his grace. Attain the lofty and spiritual state of freedom and bliss. Lord Skanda permeates in you with inner spiritual strength.


Lord Muruga is the controller of Mars, if any astrological problem from mars can be resolved by Skanda to his devotees and showers with happy life.


Subrsamanya mantra Om Saravana Bha Va brings all kinds of happiness and wealth. Skanda vel protect from all dangerous situations (Vel undu Vinay illay).


Skanda sashti celebrations:


Sashti is celebrated in all Murugan temples especially in (AruPadai vidu) six important Murugan temples of Lord Skanda. They are,

  •    Palani Murugan temple (100 km from Coimbatore
  •    Swamimalai Murugan temple (Near Kumbakonam)
  •   Thiruthani Murugan temple (84km from Chennai)
  •   Pazhamuthircholai Murugan temple (10km north of Madurai)   
  •   Sri Subramanya swamy Devasthanam, Tiruchendur (40km south of Tuiticorin)
  •   Thirupparamkunram Murugan temple (10 km south of madurai)

Six temples of Lord Murugan (Arupadai Vidu):




Special pujas were performed with Skada Sashti kavasam recitation at all temples in the morning and evening. Devotees visit the temple and do some rituals like Kavadi, Mailaatam, Annathanam, Viratham, Abishekam, some do Homams which is the vedic way to attain God. Pujas can be done in home with Lord Murugan statue or vel.


Celebration in Tiruchendur temple:


In Tiruchendur Soorasamharam is celebrated in a special and ostentatious manner because it is believed that Lord Muruga defeated the Demon at Tiruchendur. The Divine act of triumph of Skanda against Asura takes place.  It is celebrated in dramatic way that two huge idols of Murugan God and the asura is decorated, priests and devotees makes some moves with idols with recitation of  the story of war between asura.


Skanda at last with vel they destroy the Asura idol. This is known as Soorasamharam Vizha. The celebration of the day signifies the end of all evils. After Soorasamharam, Chaya Abisheikam will percolate. Chaya is a Sanskrit word meaning image. Mirror will be placed in front of the idol and abishekam will be performed to image in the mirror.


Soorasamharam vizha at Tiruchendur temple:



The next day is the Murugan Thirukalyanam with Devayanai. This will be the end of the Skanda Sashti viratham. Devotees pay their piety to Muruga and receive Karthikeya's blessings and they complete their fasting by having Sweets.


Skanda Sashti Puja vidhi:


  • This puja is simple which can be done in home. The following are materials required and vidhi to perform Skanda Sashti Puja.
  • Small idol or Picture of Ganesha and Muruga, the Vel of Murugan.
  • Sandal powder, Turmeric, Kumkum, Flowers.
  • First clean the house and puja area. Start with the decorations
  • Start the puja for Lord Ganesha and then start the puja for Kartikeya.
  • Meditate to Lord Muruga, make yourself in full beleiveness to Lord skanda. Do pujas to the idol of Muruga, Decorate the idol with flowers.
  • Offer neivedyam to God and pray for prosperity. Now recite Skanda Sashti Kavasam.

Mantra :


Om Saum Sa Ra Va Na Bha Va Shreem Hreem Kleem Glaum Saum Namaha.


Skanda Sashti Story


Sa - Attracts good peoples to you
Ra- Brings more Wealth & Prosperity
Va - Eradicates diseases and mishaps
Na - Stay you away from enemies
Bha - Attraction through charisma / personality
Va - Removes Negative influence from bad planets

Each of these six words / phrases is bestowed to Lord Muruga's Six faces


Do's:


  • Clean your House before the day Sashti.
  •  Do puja and Aarthis to Lord Muruga.
  • Observe fasting and shall drink milk during fasting.
  • Do Milk Abishek for Muruga idol or offer milk to nearby Murugan Temple.
  • Must worship Lord Muruga / Subramanya by offering Pujas and rituals.
    Chant Muruga Mantra / Skanda Shasti Kavacham while doing puja.


Don'ts:


  • Avoid eating Non-veg on this auspicious day.
  • Don't involve in any wrong doings.
  • Drinking alcohol or smoking is strictly avoidable while observing fasting.