Skanda Sashti in 2016, like every year, is a six day long festival that will be celebrated from 13th of February. The festival of Skanda Sashti is a huge festival that is celebrated mainly by the southern states of India. Like Holi and Diwali in north India, Skanda Shasti is a festival of great importance in south India. The enthusiasm of the celebrations of Skanda shasti increases every year. Therefore, the celebrations of Skanda Shasti in 2016 will leave the celebration of all the previous years behind by a great mark. The purpose of Skanda Sashti is to give respect to the victorious Lord Muruga who saved people from the cruelty of demon Tarakasura and his brothers. Skanda Shasti as per the Hindu calendar is celebrated in the Kartik month in Shukla pratipada which is the month Aippasi for Tamil Nadu. Lord Muruga is the name which is very popular in southern states but in Northern India the son of Lord Shiva is mainly known as Lord Karthikeya.

Lord Muruga is the younger son of the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Demon Tarakasura was so powerful that no one apart from lord Muruga could kill him. He was blessed with a boon that no one other than the son of Lord Shiva would ever be able to kill him. This boon made him cruel toward everyone and he started dreaming of acquiring everything. In order to fulfill his desire he heartlessly killed many people and also defeated devas. This all has to be ended by the one and only Lord Muruga.

The Reason Due To Which Skanda Shasti Is Celebrated

Skanda Shasti is a major festival that is celebrated continuously for six days. Skanda Shashti 2016 is going to bring those festivities back again. It is believed that the battle of Lord Muruga with Tarakasur continued for five days and at the end Taarkasura was brutally brought to death. This was the fate of demon Taarkasura. Other facts related to the battle and the festival of Skanda Shasti are that the Lord Muruga divided the demon into two parts. One part took the form of peacock that became the vehicle of Lord Muruga, whereas the other part became cock that was used as a flag for Lord Muruga.

The victory of Lord Muruga over evil was not less than a divine blessing for the people and devas. They dedicated these six days to celebrate the victory and gratifying Lord Muruga for his help.

Celebrations Of Skanda Sashti

The celebrations of the Kanda Sashti are always gigantic and it gathers crowd in large number. This year too, during Skanda Sashti in 2016, people are going to celebrate the festival with great zeal. The dedication and devotion of people is a symbol of people�s willingness of celebrating Kanda Sashti as a great religious event. It is a ritual to worship Lord Muruga on all six days of Skanda Shasti. Major events are organized and people in mass number get together to witness the charm of the festival. Offerings of different things such as flowers, food and even money are made in the name of Lord Muruga. People believe that it is due to the efforts and kindness of Lord Muruga that they were saved and they honor this deed of Lord Muruga with all their heart. Some religious devotees also observe fast for these days, some of which eat meal once in a day. The sixth day on which the Taarkasura was killed is the most significant day. All the temples that are built in the respect of Lord Muruga are beautifully decorated and the people keep on visiting these temples for these days. A popular song known as Kanda Sashti Kavacham or Skanda Shasti Kavacham is sung in temples and even in homes as it is completely dedicated to the Lord Muruga.

With all these things some people also involve themselves in meditation and austerity. The essence of this wonderful festival Skanda shasti is hidden in observing the fast, worshipping, singing the Skanda Sashti Kavacham and also in deeply recalling the name of Lord Muruga.

Like every year, the celebrations of Skanda shasti in 2016 too will be worth watching and experiencing. The faith of people in celebrating the festival is that the Lord Muruga is a savior and he will always safeguard them from any evil. The grace and glory of the festival Skanda shasti will be maintained forever. May the blessings of Lord Muruga shower on you and your family as well. Have a very happy Skanda Shasti in 2016!