Skanda Shasti/Subramanya Sashti in 2010

sEenaavidaaraka skandha mahaasEna mahaabala

rudrOmaagnija Shadvaktra gaMgaagarbha namOstu tE

Skanda Shasti / Subramanya Shasti:

Who is Skanda? -

• Skanda is the avatara of Manmatha.
• He is in the same kakshya of Indra.
• He is the lord of War.
• During Srinivasa Kalyana Srinivasa devaru nominated him to invite the audience, as he has six faces and can see all six directions.

What are his other names ?–

Kumara, Skanda, Murugan or Shanmukha or Subramanya or Kartikeya

• He is called as Kumara– as he always looks like a small boy
• He is called as Shanmukha as he has six faces
• He is called as Kartikeya as he was brought up by six sisters named Kruttika.
• He is called as Shanmatura as he was brought up by six mothers
• It is on this day that Sri Subramanya, who was born on Margashira Panchami killed Tarakasura.

When is this Skanda Shasti celebrated? -

It will be celebrated on Margashira Shukla Shasti. This day is also called as Subrayana Shasti.

Why is Skanda Shasti celebrated? -

Subramanya likes this day very much, because it is on this that he killed Tarakasura. If one does the skanda darshana, snaana and daana on this, he will be from all his brahma hatyaadi sins. If one does this vratha, they have Sarpa bhaya nivruthi, satsantaana yoga, from skin diseases.

How is Subrayana Shasti celebrated?–

 On this day we have to perform the pooja of Subramanya. Subramanya swamy is worshipped in the form of five - hooded snake. While doing the Subraya Shasti we have to do the pooja to mainly to Shankapaala, one of the serpant.

Shankapalantargata  bharatiramana  mukyapranantargatha  sri Sankarshanaya nama:

We have to chant “Om ram skandhaaya nama: Om” while inviting Subramanya.

 We have to chant “Dhanu:shaktidharO dhyEya: kaamadO bhayanaashana:” for dhyana shloka.

 His vehicle– Mayura

 Why on this Brahmacharis will be invited for bhojana?–

Subramanya is a brahmachari. He likes young brahmacharis as they will not be having any dwesha-asuya, and their heart will be pure. Skanda will be invited to have avaahana on Subramanya on these brahmacharies, and will take the sampoorna pooja done to brahmacharies. Major bhakshyas done on this day will be from Urad dal. Brahmachari to be given Vastra, Dakshine, etc

Subramanya Sashti or Subrahmanya Shashti is observed on Margashira Shashti in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. .Margasira Subramanya Sashti 2010 date is December 11 i.e;on Saturday. Lord Subramanya, also known as Kumara, Skanda, Murugan or Shanmukha is worshipped during this festival.  In Kukke Subramanya temple, Karnataka, Subramanya Sashti is observed with utmost enthusiasm and devotion. It is one ofMargashirsha maas or Margashira masam is the ninth month as per traditional Hindu calendar. It is believed as one of the auspicious months for Hindus. Margashira month is considered as auspicious month for Telugu people as it is the favorite month for Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna himself says that he is the Margashiram. This month marks the beginning of Hemanta ruthu.

In North Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh like Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam, observe Margashira Lakshmivarapu Nomu or Margashirsha Guruvara Laxmi Vrat. Guruvar (Thursday) is called as Lakshmivaram in this region. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the Thursdays in the month of Margashirsha. Subramanya Shasti, Mokshada Ekadashi, Hanumath Vratham, Datta Jayanti and Dhanur Sankramana punyakalam are the major festivals during Margasira month.

In Puranas, Margashirsh maas is mentioned as ‘Maasonam Margashirshoham which means there is no auspicious month as Margashiram.

Importance of Margashira Masam as per Bhagavad Gita:

Margashirsh month is also mentioned in the Bhagwad Gita by Lord Sri Krishna. The below slokam tells about the significance and spiritual importance of margasheersha maas.

Bruhatsama thatha samnam

Gayatri Chandasamaham

Masanam Margashoham

Ruthunam Kusumakarna

It means – Lord Krishna says “I, myself, stay in Bruhathsama in the Samaveda, Gayatri in Chandassu or literature, Margashirsha or Margashira in months and Vasant rithu in rithus or seasons”.

It is said that performing ritual bath in the Ganga river during Margashirsh month gives the result of ten million grahan snan. Vishnu Puja during the month is highly auspicious. Lakshmi puja is observed on Margashirsh lakshmivar or Guruvar during margashira masam. Vishnu Sahasranama parayana and visiting Vishnu temples in the month is most preferred deeds.

In Skandagiri Subramanya temple located in Hyderabad, Subramanya sasti is an eye-catching event. Nagadevatas or Serpent Gods are also worshipped on this day. In fact, Subramanya swamy is worshipped in the form of five-hooded snake.

In Maharashtra, Margashira Sashti is celebrated as Champa Shashti (Chamba Sashti) to commemorate the victory of Khandoba over wicked demons.

I wish you all a Very Happy Subramanya Sashti & to attain the blessings from the God.

Note:

• You might also like to read Ashtotram & Pancharatnam of Sree Subrahmanya Swamy
• To Know more to read about prayers of Sree Subrahmanya Swamy click here