On his way to worship Lord Shiva, Bramha didn't pay attention to Muruga or greeted him. ĭuring his childhood Lord Muruga made several corrections in the form of worship and rules among sages and even Bramha (God of creation). In the Tirumurukā-ṟtruuppaṭai, he is described as a god of eternal youth: "His face shines a myriad rays light and removes the darkness from this world". The Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai is a deeply devotional poem included in the Pattuppāṭṭu "ten idyls" of the age of the third Sangam. 400–450), attributed to the great Sangam poet Nakkirar, Murugan was the presiding deity of the kuṟiñci (hilly tracts). Extant Sangam literature works, dated between the third century BCE and the fifth century CE glorified Murugan, "the red god seated on the blue peacock, who is ever young and resplendent," as "the favoured god of the Tamils." The Sangam poetry divided space and Tamil land into five allegorical areas ( tinai) and, according to the Tirumurukāṟtruuppaṭai ( c. The Tolkāppiyam, one of the most ancient of the Tamil literature, mentions kaujaya "the red one", who is identified with Murugan, whose name is literally Murukaṉ "the youth" the three other gods referred in the Tolkāppiyam are Māyavaṉ "the dark one" (identified with Vishnu), Vēntaṉ "the sovereign" (identified with Indra) and Koṟṟavai "the victorious" (identified with Kali). Thiru Kalyanam is observed on the next day of Soorasamharam. The six days celebrations which start from Pirathamai of Karthika Masam culminate on Soorasamharam day. Kanda Sashti celebrations at Thiruchendur Murugan Temple are the most famous one. Hence most temples observe Kanda Sashti on Panjami Tithi if Shasti Tithi starts before sunset on Panjami Tithi. It is important to note that the day when Shasti Tithi conjugates with Panjami Tithi is chosen for Soorasamharam Vratam. It is believed that Lord Murugan defeated Demon Surapadman on the very same day and the festival of Soorasamharam is observed every year to mark the victory of good over evil. Soorasamharam is the final and the most important day of the six days festivities. The day of Skanda Sashti is decided based on lunar month and it falls during sixth day of Karthika Masam.ĭuring Kanda Sashti, devotees observe six days fasting which starts from first day or Pirathamai of Karthika lunar month and ends on the sixth day which is known as Soorasamharam day.
Skanda Sashti is observed mainly by Tamil Hindus. Skanda Sashti, also known as Kanda Sashti, is the most important festival dedicated to Lord Murugan.