🙏 Sashti Guide
Lord Subrahmanya Worship - Sashti Vrat Rules & Benefits
📖 What is Sashti?
Sashti is the 6th tithi of each paksha (Shukla and Krishna) in the Hindu lunar calendar. "Shashtha" means six in Sanskrit. Two Sashtis come every month.
Sashti tithi is most sacred for worshiping Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan, Kumaraswamy, Kartikeya). According to Puranas, Lord Subrahmanya was born on Sashti tithi and killed Tarakasura.
📅 Important Sashtis
| Name | Month | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Skanda Sashti | Kartik Shukla | Most important, 6-day festival |
| Champa Sashti | Jyeshtha Shukla | Champa flowers offered |
| Subramanya Sashti | Margashira Shukla | Nagadosha remedy |
| Kukke Sashti | Chaitra Shukla | Important in South India |
📋 Vrat Rules
- Bath and wear clean clothes
- Fasting or one meal
- Worship Lord Subrahmanya
- Recite Skanda Sashti Kavacham
- Offer peacock feather, Vel
✨ Vrat Benefits
- Lord Subrahmanya's grace
- Victory over enemies
- Naga dosha remedy
- Blessed with children
- Disease prevention
🕉️ Puja Items
- Vel (Spear)
- Peacock feather
- Turmeric, Kumkum
- Fruits, Sweets
- Champa flowers
🛕 Subrahmanya Temples
Special pujas are performed in famous Subrahmanya temples on Sashti:
- Palani Dhandayuthapani Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- Thiruchendur Subrahmanya Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- Kukke Subrahmanya Temple (Karnataka)
- Peddamandara Subrahmanyeswara Temple (AP)
❓ FAQs
What is Sashti?
Sashti is the 6th tithi of each paksha. This tithi is most sacred for worshiping Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan, Kumaraswamy). Two Sashtis come every month.
What is special about Skanda Sashti?
Shukla Paksha Sashti in Kartik month is called Skanda Sashti. On this day, Lord Subrahmanya killed Tarakasura. A six-day vrat is observed.
How to observe Sashti Vrat?
Fast on Sashti day and worship Lord Subrahmanya. Recite Shanmukha Stotram, Skanda Sashti Kavacham. Offer peacock feather and Vel.