Published 17:47 IST, March 28th 2020
Skanda Sashti festival: Significance of the celebrations dedicate to Lord Kartikeya
Skanda Sashti festival holds great importance in South India as various Lord Kartikeya devotees come together and celebrated the victory of good over evil.
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One of most important celebrations according to Hindu mythology is Skanda Sashti festival. This festival is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Kartikeya is a God with many names as his devotees regard him as Kumar, Subramanya and Murugan, Shanmukha and Velayudhan. This festival is celebrated majorly in Shiva and Subramanya temples in South India.
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Significance of Skanda Sashti festival
Skanda Sashti festival takes place in order to celebrate victory of Lord Skanda over demon Surapma. As per Tamil calendar, this festival is observed on sixth day of lunar month. Skanda Sashti is also kwn as Kandha Sashti.
On Monday, March 30, 2020, Chaitra Skanda Sashti will be celebrated in India. It is believed that on this day, Lord Murugan himself will answer a devotee's prayers if y observe a fast.
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Skanda Sashti festival also consists of devotees spending six days in Skanda temples, reciting poems and inspiring hymns in order to remember Lord Kartikeya. An enactment of Lord Skanda killing demon Surapma can also be witnessed during this festival.
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Devotees observe a strict six-day fast during Skanda Sashti festival which also puts various restrictions too. Devotees only eat one meal in a day and refrain from dishes me from garlic or onion. It is believed that devotees do t just fast to show ir love for Lord Kartikeya, but also in order to receive inner peace and satisfaction.
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Various devotees choose to observe hard penance in order to show ir dedication to Lord Kartikeya's might, strength and valour. A six-day fast and religious period is observed because Lord Kartikeya's favourite number is believed to be number six. Mantras recited to worship Lord Kartikeya also consists of only six syllables which make significance of number six with Lord Kartikeya even furr.
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17:47 IST, March 28th 2020