Skanda Sashti 2026: Soora Samharam Date (15 November), Six-Day Vratam, Story and Tiruchendur

Quick answer: Skanda Sashti 2026 falls on Sunday 15 November 2026, the day of Soora Samharam. The six-day Kanda Sashti vratam starts on Tuesday 10 November 2026 (Kartika Shukla Pratipada) and ends on Sashti, 15 November. Drik Panchang for New Delhi lists Skanda Sashti and Soora Samharam together on 15 November. Shashthi tithi lasts until 02:00 AM on 16 November (IST).

Skanda Sashti is the most important yearly festival of Lord Murugan, also called Skanda, Kartikeya, Subrahmanya and Kumara. It celebrates his victory over the demon Surapadman. The festival is strongest in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries. This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address.

Skanda Sashti 2026 date and day-by-day tithi table

The table below follows Drik Panchang for New Delhi. Times are in IST and apply to New Delhi only. Other cities in India have slightly different sunrise times. Outside India, use a panchang set to your own city. Do not convert these IST times to another time zone.

Shashthi tithi begins when Panchami ends, at 11:23 PM on Saturday 14 November, and continues until 02:00 AM on Monday 16 November (New Delhi, IST). Because Shashthi covers the whole of Sunday 15 November, that is the festival day in the Drik listing.

Why your Tamil calendar may differ

Tamil panchangams, Sri Lankan calendars and individual temples may fix Skanda Sashti by their own rules and local sunrise. In some years this moves the date by one day. If your family follows a Tamil panchangam, or your local Murugan temple has announced a date, follow that.

The story of Soora Samharam, as commonly told

Skanda Sashti remembers the battle between Murugan and the asura Surapadman. The story is told in the Skanda Purana and, in Tamil, in the Kanda Puranam of Kachiyappa Sivacharyar. The main points, as commonly told, are these:

• The asuras grow powerful: Surapadman and his brothers, Simhamukha and Tarakasura, gained great boons through penance. They then troubled the devas and the three worlds.
• Murugan is born: The devas prayed to Shiva. Six sparks from Shiva's third eye became six children in the Saravana pond, cared for by the Krittika mothers. Parvati embraced them, and they became one child with six faces: Shanmukha, or Arumugam.
• The Vel: Parvati gave Murugan the Vel, a divine spear. It stands for sharp, pure knowledge that cuts through ignorance.
• Six days of battle: Murugan led the army of the devas. He defeated Tarakasura and Simhamukha, and then fought Surapadman.
• The victory: On the sixth day, Surapadman took the form of a huge mango tree. Murugan split the tree with his Vel. One half became the rooster on his flag, and the other became the peacock that is his vehicle. The demon was not only destroyed but also transformed and accepted by the Lord.

Devotees read the story as the victory of wisdom over ego, anger and pride. The six days are also seen as a time to overcome six inner enemies: desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride and jealousy.

How the six-day Kanda Sashti vratam is kept

Practices differ between families and regions. Common practices include:

• Fasting: Some devotees eat one simple vegetarian meal a day. Others take only fruit and milk, and some keep a stricter fast on the final day. Onion, garlic, meat, eggs and alcohol are usually avoided for all six days.
• Prayer: Daily puja to Murugan with a lamp, flowers and simple naivedyam. Many families keep a picture of Murugan with his Vel and peacock.
• Recitation: Reading or listening to the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, Thiruppugazh songs or the Skanda Purana.
• Temple visits: Visiting a Murugan temple on one or more of the six days, especially on Sashti.
• Ending the fast: Many devotees break the fast after Soora Samharam on the sixth day, or the next morning, as their family tradition directs.

A health note on fasting

Fasting is a personal choice, not a test. Elderly people, pregnant or nursing women, children, people with diabetes and anyone on regular medication should consult a doctor before fasting. A lighter vratam, such as one meal a day or giving up only certain foods, is fully accepted in most families. Drink enough water, especially if you work long hours.

Kanda Sashti Kavasam

The Kanda Sashti Kavasam is a Tamil hymn of protection, traditionally attributed to Devaraya Swamigal. "Kavasam" means armour. The hymn asks Murugan to protect every part of the body and every part of life. Many Tamil homes play it daily, and it is recited widely during the six days of the festival. If you are new to it, listening along with a recording while reading the Tamil text or a transliteration is a good way to start.

Tiruchendur and the Arupadai Veedu

Tiruchendur, on the seashore in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, is one of the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Murugan. It is traditionally linked with Murugan's victory over Surapadman. For this reason, its Soora Samharam re-enactment on the seashore is the most famous in the world and draws very large crowds.

The other five abodes are Thiruparankundram, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudircholai. All of them, and most Murugan temples elsewhere, mark Skanda Sashti with special worship. Many temples also celebrate Thirukalyanam, Murugan's divine wedding, on the day after Soora Samharam.

Timings: We do not publish event or darshan times. The Tiruchendur temple administration announces the Soora Samharam schedule each year. Please check the temple's official website or official announcements for current timings, crowd arrangements and rules.

Skanda Sashti for NRI families

Murugan worship is strong wherever Tamil communities have settled, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia. Many Murugan temples and Hindu temples with a Murugan shrine abroad hold special pujas during Kanda Sashti, and some stage a Soora Samharam enactment.

• Check your local temple's calendar. Temples abroad set their own dates and schedules for their location.
• Use a panchang set to your own city. Do not convert New Delhi IST times to your local time zone.
• If the temple is far away, keep the vratam at home. Light a lamp each evening, recite or play the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, and offer fruit or a simple sweet.
• Tell children the story in simple terms: the brave young Lord with a spear who changed a proud demon into a rooster and a peacock.
• If work makes a full fast hard, choose a lighter form. Sincerity matters more than strictness.

Other festivals around Skanda Sashti 2026

Skanda Sashti falls early in the Karthika month in the amanta calendar. The same week includes Govardhan Puja (10 November), Bhai Dooj (11 November) and Nagula Chavithi (13 November). Chhath Puja is also listed on 15 November in Drik Panchang for New Delhi. See our November 2026 Hindu festival calendar and our Karthika Masam 2026 guide for the full month.

Frequently asked questions

When is Skanda Sashti 2026?

Skanda Sashti 2026 is on Sunday 15 November 2026. Drik Panchang lists both Skanda Sashti and Soora Samharam on this day for New Delhi. Shashthi tithi lasts until 02:00 AM on 16 November (IST).

When does the six-day Kanda Sashti vratam begin in 2026?

The vratam begins on Kartika Shukla Pratipada, which is Tuesday 10 November 2026. It ends on Sashti, Sunday 15 November 2026, the day of Soora Samharam.

Could my Tamil calendar show a different date?

Yes, it is possible. Tamil panchangams and temple calendars calculate the day by their own rules and local sunrise. The difference, when it happens, is usually one day. Follow your family's panchangam or your local Murugan temple.

What time is Soora Samharam at Tiruchendur?

We do not publish an event time. The Tiruchendur temple administration announces the Soora Samharam schedule each year. Check the temple's official website or official announcements closer to the date.

What do people eat during the Kanda Sashti fast?

Customs vary. Some devotees eat one simple vegetarian meal a day. Others take only fruit, milk or water, and a few keep a full fast. Most families avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food during the six days. People with health conditions should speak to a doctor before fasting.

What is the Kanda Sashti Kavasam?

It is a popular Tamil hymn of protection addressed to Murugan, traditionally attributed to Devaraya Swamigal. Many devotees recite or listen to it every day, and especially during the six days of Kanda Sashti.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. All dates and tithi times come from Drik Panchang for New Delhi and are given in IST. They are not converted to other time zones. Tamil calendars and temples may differ by a day. We do not give event, darshan or Soora Samharam times; the temples announce these. The story is told as it is commonly told in the Skanda Purana and Kanda Puranam traditions.

Related guides

• Karthika Masam 2026: the complete month guide
• November 2026 Hindu festival calendar
• Nagula Chavithi 2026: Naga puja and rituals
• Chhath Puja 2026: dates and arghya
• Karthika Somavaram 2026
• Karthika Masam 2026 rules: food, dos and don'ts