2024 Skanda Sashti Pooja Dates List, Puja Timings in Tamilnadu, and Comprehensive Guide

Skanda Sashti is an auspicious six-day festival celebrated with immense faith and devotion in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India. It honors Lord Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, Murugan, or Subramanya, who is revered as the god of war and victory. According to Hindu mythology, Skanda Sashti commemorates Lord Kartikeya’s victory over the demon Tarakasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. See below for the detail information about the 2024 Skanda Sashti Pooja Dates List Puja Timings Tamilnadu.

2024 Skanda Sashti Pooja Dates List Puja Timings Tamilnadu

The Skanda Sashti festival is observed in the lunar month of Aippasi (October-November). While the exact timings may vary slightly based on the lunar calendar and geographical locations, the festival typically spans six days, culminating in the most significant day, the ‘Sashti’ day. Devotees in Tamil Nadu can refer to local temple announcements or panchangam (Hindu almanac) for precise timings.

How to Perform Skanda Sashti Pooja at Home

Performing Skanda Sashti Pooja at home invites divine blessings and purifies the atmosphere. Here’s a simplified procedure:

Preparation

1. Pooja Items: Prepare a list of items such as turmeric, kumkum, lamp, incense sticks, camphor, sandalwood paste, fruits, betel leaves, and nuts. Special items include peacock feathers and a spear symbolizing Lord Murugan’s weapon.

2. Cleanse and Decorate: Clean the pooja area and decorate it with kolam (rice flour designs). Place a Murugan idol or picture centrally.

Procedure

1. Invocation: Light the lamp and incense sticks. Begin with a prayer to Ganesha for obstacle-free worship.

2. Abhishekam (Sacred Bath): Gently bathe the Murugan idol with milk, followed by water. Dry and adorn it with clothes, flower garlands, and sandalwood paste.

3. Offerings: Offer fruits, sweets, and the special prasadam. Chant Skanda Sashti Kavacham or any Murugan stotras.

4. Aarti: Perform the aarti by circulating a camphor-lit lamp around the deity, accompanied by devotional songs.

Significance of Skanda Sashti Pooja

Skanda Sashti holds profound spiritual significance. It epitomizes the destruction of negative forces and ego, paving the way for spiritual growth. Devotees observe fasts, engage in prayers, and participate in processions, seeking Lord Murugan’s blessings for courage, health, and prosperity.

Prasadam Item

The traditional prasadam for Skanda Sashti is ‘Kanda Shasti Kavacham,’ a potent hymn in praise of Lord Murugan. Additionally, devotees prepare and share ‘Panchamritam’ (a mix of five ingredients – banana, jaggery, honey, ghee, and dates), and ‘Millet flour sweet balls (Kozhukattai)’ as prasadam.

FAQ

Q1. Can women perform Skanda Sashti Pooja? Yes, women can perform Skanda Sashti Pooja. It is inclusive and allows everyone to partake in the divine blessings.

Q2. Is it mandatory to fast for all six days? Fasting is a personal choice and devotion. While many undertake a complete fast on all six days, others may choose partial fasting or fast only on the Sashti day.

Q3. Can Skanda Sashti Pooja be performed without an idol? Yes, if an idol is not available, you can use a picture of Lord Murugan. The devotion and sincerity of the pooja matter the most.

Conclusion

Skanda Sashti Pooja encapsulates the essence of devotion, discipline, and dedication. It’s a time for reflection, purification, and celebration of the divine. By observing this festival, devotees honor Lord Murugan’s teachings and seek his divine grace. Whether performed elaborately at temples or simply at home, Skanda Sashti offers a spiritual haven, reinforcing the cultural and religious fabric of Tamil Nadu and beyond.

Engaging in this sacred ritual fosters a sense of community, upliftment, and spiritual enlightenment, making it a cherished festival in the Hindu calendar. This is the brief information about the 2024 Skanda Sashti Pooja Dates List Puja Timings Tamilnadu in detail.

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