Skanda Sashti 2026 — Sunday 15 November
స్కంద షష్ఠి 2026
Kartika Shukla Shashthi (Amanta) · Aippasi Shukla Shashthi (Tamil solar month) · Kanda Sashti / Soorasamharam / Skanda Sashti Vratam · Shashthi Tithi begins 14 Nov 07:04 IST ends 15 Nov 06:26 IST · Tiruchendur Soorasamharam abhinaya 15 Nov 16:15 – 18:00 IST (evening) · Thirukalyanam 16 Nov morning · 6-day Kanda Sashti Viratham begins 10 Nov · Vratam parana 16 Nov morning
Skanda Sashti 2026 (also called Kanda Sashti / Soorasamharam / Skanda Sashti Vratam) falls on Sunday, 15 November 2026. Skanda Sashti (Kanda Sashti / Soorasamharam) commemorates the day Lord Murugan (Skanda) slew Soorapadman on the sixth day of the war and split his body into two — a peacock (his vahana) and a rooster (on his flag). The 6-day battle is re-enacted at Tiruchendur's Sri Subramanya Swami Devasthanam with abhinaya-theatre — the climactic Soorasamharam on the beach draws 15+ lakh devotees. Second only to Thaipusam among Murugan festivals. Devotees observe 6-day fast starting on Aippasi Amavasya, breaking only after Soorasamharam viewing. Primary observance: 6-day Kanda Sashti Viratham (10-15 Nov 2026): sattvic diet + no salt/onion/garlic + celibacy + Murugan-japa. Recommended muhurat: Shashthi Tithi begins 14 Nov 07:04 IST ends 15 Nov 06:26 IST · Tiruchendur Soorasamharam abhinaya 15 Nov 16:15 – 18:00 IST (evening) · Thirukalyanam 16 Nov morning · 6-day Kanda Sashti Viratham begins 10 Nov · Vratam parana 16 Nov morning.
Skanda Sashti 2026 — Date & Muhurat
| Festival Date | Sunday, 15 November 2026 |
| Telugu Masa & Tithi | Kartika Shukla Shashthi (Amanta) · Aippasi Shukla Shashthi (Tamil solar month) |
| Primary Muhurat | Shashthi Tithi begins 14 Nov 07:04 IST ends 15 Nov 06:26 IST · Tiruchendur Soorasamharam abhinaya 15 Nov 16:15 – 18:00 IST (evening) · Thirukalyanam 16 Nov morning · 6-day Kanda Sashti Viratham begins 10 Nov · Vratam parana 16 Nov morning |
| Alternative Names | Kanda Sashti / Soorasamharam / Skanda Sashti Vratam |
All timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool.
Significance of Skanda Sashti 2026
Skanda Sashti (Kanda Sashti / Soorasamharam) commemorates the day Lord Murugan (Skanda) slew Soorapadman on the sixth day of the war and split his body into two — a peacock (his vahana) and a rooster (on his flag). The 6-day battle is re-enacted at Tiruchendur's Sri Subramanya Swami Devasthanam with abhinaya-theatre — the climactic Soorasamharam on the beach draws 15+ lakh devotees. Second only to Thaipusam among Murugan festivals. Devotees observe 6-day fast starting on Aippasi Amavasya, breaking only after Soorasamharam viewing.
Key Rituals on Skanda Sashti 2026
6-day Kanda Sashti Viratham (10-15 Nov 2026): sattvic diet + no salt/onion/garlic + celibacy + Murugan-japa. Day 6 Soorasamharam (15 Nov): assemble at Tiruchendur beach or local Murugan temple; watch abhinaya of Skanda slaying Soorapadman with the vel-astra; peacock emerges from demon's body. Day 7 Thirukalyanam (16 Nov morning): Skanda-Devasena wedding celebrated (Skanda's marriage to Indra's daughter as war-victory blessing). Break fast with prasad — vada, panagam, medhu bonda.
Skanda Sashti 2026 Puja Samagri Checklist (Shopping List)
Items to procure 1-2 days before Skanda Sashti 2026:
| # | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Murugan (Skanda) picture/idol with vel |
| 2 | Peacock feather + rooster figurine |
| 3 | Red flowers + hibiscus + marigold |
| 4 | Yellow + saffron cloth |
| 5 | Vibhuti + kumkum + chandan tilak |
| 6 | Panagam (jaggery-water) + neer moar (buttermilk) |
| 7 | Vadai + medhu bonda + kesari (bhog for parana) |
| 8 | Ghee lamp + camphor + agarbatti |
| 9 | Kanda Sashti Kavacham book (Bala Sivagnana Yogi's composition) |
| 10 | Coconut + betel + supari + banana |
Regional Variations of Skanda Sashti 2026
Tamil Nadu (peak): Tiruchendur Sri Subramanya Swami Devasthanam is the biggest — 15 lakh+ devotees for beach Soorasamharam. Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Pazhamudircholai, Thiruparankundram — all Arupadai Veedu temples celebrate. Kerala: Palakkad + Kannur Murugan temples. Karnataka: Kukke Subramanya + Ghati Subramanya large festivals. Andhra/Telangana: Skanda Sashti Vratam at Subramanya temples (Cheekula, Palamaner). Sri Lanka: Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (Jaffna) — largest Skanda Sashti outside India. Malaysia/Singapore: Batu Caves + Sri Thendayuthapani Temple observance.