Skanda Shasti: Defeating Darkness with Light.

 “Skanda Shasti” or “Kanda Sashti” is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, Murugan, Subrahmanya, or Kartik. The festival typically falls on the sixth day (Shasti) of the bright half of the lunar month of Kartika, which usually corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. Skanda Shasti commemorates the victory of Lord Kartikeya over the demon Surapadman.

Legend of Skanda Shasti:

1.Birth of Kartikeya:

• Devas (celestial beings) faced oppression from the demon Surapadman, who had received a boon making him virtually invincible. In response, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati decided to create Lord Kartikeya, a powerful divine being.

2. Kartikeya’s Mission:

• Kartikeya was given the mission to defeat Surapadman and his demon associates. He was chosen for his valor, wisdom, and divine qualities.

3. Battle with Surapadman:

• Kartikeya, riding his peacock mount, engaged in a fierce battle with Surapadman and his demon forces. The battle lasted for six days and nights.

4. Final Confrontation:

• On the sixth day, known as Shasti, Kartikeya faced Surapadman in a decisive encounter. Despite the demon’s formidable powers, Kartikeya ultimately defeated him.

5. Transformation of Surapadman:

• Before his demise, Surapadman transformed into a mango tree and a rooster. Kartikeya, in a magnanimous gesture, split the mango tree into two halves, turning one part into his peacock mount and the other into a rooster, which became his emblem.

6. Celebration of Victory:

• The victory of Kartikeya over Surapadman is celebrated with great fervor during Skanda Shasti. Devotees observe fasts, perform pujas, and recite hymns to seek the blessings of Lord Kartikeya for strength, courage, and protection.

The Skanda Shasti Kavacham is a powerful hymn dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, and reciting it during the festival is believed to invoke the blessings of the deity.

Devotees celebrate Skanda Shasti with devotion, offering prayers, visiting temples dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, and participating in various rituals and processions. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the power of divine intervention to protect devotees from adversity.