Monthly Sashti (Skanda Sashti) (மாத சஷ்டி)
Monthly Sixth-Tithi Observance of Lord Murugan
Monthly Sashti (Skanda Sashti) Dates in 2026
→ All 2026 festivalsAbout Monthly Sashti (Skanda Sashti)
Sashti (the sixth Tithi) of each fortnight is observed as a fasting day dedicated to Lord Murugan (Skanda). The Shukla Paksha (waxing fortnight) Sashti of each month is especially important. The annual Kanda Sashti in the month of Aippasi is the most celebrated, but devout Murugan worshippers observe every monthly Sashti.
Significance
The number six is sacred to Lord Murugan: he has six faces (Shanmukha), six hands, and the six Arupadai Veedu (abodes) in Tamil Nadu. The sixth Tithi (Sashti) of each fortnight is therefore considered his day. Fasting on Sashti and reciting the Kanda Sashti Kavacham is believed to remove obstacles, grant courage, and bring the blessings of Murugan.
How the Date is Calculated
Sashti is the 6th Tithi of both the Shukla Paksha (waxing Moon) and Krishna Paksha (waning Moon) in the lunar calendar. The Shukla Sashti of each month is the primary Murugan observance day. Because the lunar calendar is not fixed to the solar calendar, Sashti falls on a different Gregorian date every month.
How It is Celebrated
- Full or partial fast on Sashti Tithi
- Murugan temple visit for abhishekam and alankaram
- Recitation of Kanda Sashti Kavacham (108 or 1008 times in advanced practice)
- Breaking the fast in the evening after temple visit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sashti fasting?
Sashti fasting is a monthly vow (viratham) observed on the sixth Tithi of the lunar calendar in dedication to Lord Murugan. Devotees abstain from food (or non-vegetarian food) and spend the day in prayer, temple visits, and recitation of Murugan hymns.
What is the Kanda Sashti Kavacham?
The Kanda Sashti Kavacham is a protective hymn of 128 verses composed by Devaraya Swamigal in Tamil, invoking Lord Murugan to guard the devotee from head to foot. It is recited on Sashti days and is one of the most widely chanted Tamil devotional texts.
How many Sashti days are there in a year?
There are approximately 24–25 Sashti Tithis in a year — two per lunar month (one Shukla Sashti and one Krishna Sashti). The Shukla Sashti of the Tamil month of Aippasi is the grandest, celebrated as the annual Kanda Sashti festival.