What is Sashti?
Sashti (சஷ்டி) is the 6th lunar day in the Hindu calendar, the tithi sacred to Lord Murugan, the Tamil deity of youth, war, and wisdom. The name comes from Sanskrit shashtha = sixth. It falls twice per lunar month: tithi 6 in shukla paksha (waxing) and tithi 21 in krishna paksha (waning). Astronomically, this corresponds to elongation 60°–72° (shukla) and 240°–252° (krishna).
Sashti is the most prominent Murugan observance in the monthly panchangam. While other tithis belong to Vishnu (Ekadasi), Shiva (Pradosham), or Ganesha (Chaturthi), the sixth day belongs unambiguously to Murugan, making it a central element of Tamil religious life, where Murugan is the people's deity.
Murugan's six faces and the sixth day
The connection between Murugan and the number six is deep and mythological: Murugan has six faces (Shanmukha, ஆறுமுகம்) and six temples in Tamil Nadu (Arupadai Veedu). He was born of six sparks from Shiva's third eye, raised by six Krittika stars (Pleiades). Therefore the sixth tithi is his day.
- Shanmukha, six faces, each with a unique function: creation, preservation, destruction, forgiveness, grace, and wisdom.
- Arupadai Veedu, six sacred temples: Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani, Tirupparankunram, Pazhamudhircholai.
- Krittika, the six mother-stars (Pleiades cluster) who nurtured the newborn Murugan. The Tamil month Karthigai is named after them.
- Vel, Murugan's spear, given by Parvati. The symbol of his victory over the demon Soorapadman.
The monthly Sashti fast
- The fast begins at sunrise on the Sashti day (when the 6th tithi prevails at sunrise).
- All food is avoided until sunset. Many keep a milder version with fruit, milk, and sabudana.
- Morning and evening worship of Murugan with the mantra 'Om Saravanabhava' (ஓம் சரவணபவ).
- Visit a Murugan temple, ideally one of the six Arupadai Veedu.
- The fast is broken at sunset. Kavadi bearers (during Skanda Sashti) break only the next morning.
Skanda Sashti, the year's great Murugan festival
Skanda Sashti is the six-day festival culminating on shukla sashti in Aippasi month (October–November). It celebrates Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman, a battle that lasted six days.
- Days 1–5: Fasting, recitation of Kanda Sashti Kavasam (protective hymn to Murugan), temple pujas.
- Day 6 (Sashti day): Soorasamharam, the dramatic re-enactment of Murugan's victory. The demon figure is split with Vel (the spear).
- Day 7 (Saptami): Tiru Kalyanam, Murugan's marriage to Devayanai. Festival conclusion.
- Tiruchendur temple in Tamil Nadu is the epicenter: hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gather at the beach for Soorasamharam.
- Kavadi, the bow-shaped burden on the shoulders, is carried as penance throughout the festival.
Kanda Sashti Kavasam (கந்த சஷ்டி கவசம்), composed by Devaraya Swamigal, is the most recited Murugan hymn. Many Tamils recite it daily, but the recitation during Skanda Sashti week is considered especially powerful.
Other important Sashti days
| Sashti name | Month | Paksha | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skanda Sashti | Aippasi (Oct–Nov) | Shukla | Most important. Six-day festival. Soorasamharam. |
| Subramanya Sashti | Margazhi (Dec–Jan) | Shukla | Second most important. Grand celebration in Karnataka and Andhra. |
| Vaikasi Sashti | Vaikasi (May–Jun) | Shukla | Murugan's birthday according to some traditions. |
| Aadi Sashti | Aadi (Jul–Aug) | Shukla | Murugan worship during Aadi month's intense religious period. |
| Thai Sashti | Thai (Jan–Feb) | Shukla | Connected to Thaipusam festival (nearby but not the same day). |
Sashti and your city
The Sashti date is determined by the tithi prevailing at sunrise. Since the 6th tithi typically lasts over 24 hours, nearly all cities see Sashti on the same date. The exception is when the tithi transition falls close to sunrise in a particular city.
For Skanda Sashti (the six-day festival), the count starts from prathama (1st tithi) in shukla paksha of Aippasi month. The festival follows the tithi sequence, not calendar dates, so it may span six or seven calendar days, depending on whether a tithi is short (kshaya) or long (vriddhi).
Murugan in Tamil Nadu
Murugan holds a unique place in Tamil culture, he is not merely a deity but Tamil Nadu's patron god. Sangam literature (3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE) calls him Seyon ('the red one'), Velan ('lord of the spear'), and Murugu ('youth, beauty').
- Six temples (Arupadai Veedu): Each temple marks a site where Murugan performed a feat. Tiruchendur (the sea), Palani (the mountain), Swamimalai (learning).
- Kavadi Attam: The ritual dance with the bow-burden is Tamil Nadu's most iconic religious expression.
- Tamil proverb: 'Murugan is the Tamil's god; Tamil is Murugan's language.'
- Murugan temples exist in every Tamil diaspora community, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Réunion.