Skanda Sashti 2026: Dates, Six-Day Vratam and Soorasamharam
Skanda Sashti, also called Kanda Sashti, is the festival of Lord Murugan and the six days leading to his victory over the demon Surapadman. This guide gives the 2026 dates, explains the vratam, and links to everything else you may need, from the story to the six Arupadai Veedu temples.
Skanda Sashti 2026 begins on Tuesday 10 November. Soorasamharam falls on Sunday 15 November and Thirukalyanam on Monday 16 November. Devotees of Lord Murugan keep a six-day vratam that ends on the day he defeats Surapadman. In the USA and Canada some temples hold Soorasamharam on 14 November, so confirm locally.
By Dr. Mekhala V Jois · Last updated: 27 October 2026
When Is Skanda Sashti in 2026?
These are the dates for India. Please confirm the exact day with your own temple or a trusted Tamil panchang, because the Sashti tithi can fall on different calendar days in different time zones.
| Event | Date (India) | What it marks |
|---|---|---|
| Vratam begins | Tuesday 10 November 2026 | The first of the six days of fasting and prayer |
| Soorasamharam (Skanda Sashti day) | Sunday 15 November 2026 | The day Lord Murugan defeats the demon Surapadman |
| Thirukalyanam | Monday 16 November 2026 | The wedding of Murugan to Valli and Devasena |
Skanda Sashti 2026 dates outside India
Panchang sites differ for the USA and Canada. Some show the Sashti tithi already in force at sunset on Saturday 14 November, and a few temples there hold Soorasamharam on that evening. In the UK, Australia and Singapore most temples follow the Indian date. Ask your local temple before you plan your fast.
What Is Skanda Sashti and Why Is It Observed?
Skanda Sashti is the six-day festival of Lord Murugan, who is also called Skanda, Subramanya, Kartikeya and Shanmukha. It is kept in the Tamil month of Aippasi. The vratam begins on the day after the new moon and ends on the Sashti tithi, the sixth day of the bright fortnight.
The festival remembers the war in which Murugan, armed with the Vel his mother Parvati gave him, ended the rule of the demon Surapadman. Its most famous enactment is at Tiruchendur, the one seashore temple among the six Arupadai Veedu abodes, where lakhs of devotees watch Soorasamharam on the sixth day. Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu and around the world keep the same six days.
Read the full legend in our Soorasamharam story, or see the six Arupadai Veedu temples.
The Seven Days at a Glance
| Day | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tuesday 10 November | Vratam begins. Many devotees take the sankalpam, a stated resolve, before Murugan |
| Day 2 | Wednesday 11 November | Fasting, prayer and Kavasam recitation |
| Day 3 | Thursday 12 November | Fasting, prayer and Kavasam recitation |
| Day 4 | Friday 13 November | Fasting, prayer and Kavasam recitation |
| Day 5 | Saturday 14 November | Fasting and prayer. Some North American temples hold Soorasamharam this evening |
| Day 6 | Sunday 15 November | Soorasamharam. Many families break the fast after the ceremony, following their own custom |
| Thirukalyanam | Monday 16 November | The divine wedding of Murugan with Valli and Devasena |
Everything You May Need for Skanda Sashti
Take Part Even If You Cannot Reach a Temple
Not everyone can be in Tamil Nadu on Soorasamharam. poojas.in/ offers two ways to take part through the sankalpam, where the priests state your name and nakshatra and make the offering on your behalf.
Maha Skanda Sashti Pooja on 15 November 2026
| Offering | Where and when | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Skanda Sashti Pooja: Samuhik Abhisheka, Shathru Samhara Homa and Archana to Lord Subramanya | Ayyampettai Shiva Temple, Sunday 15 November 2026 | ₹2,350 per head |
| Subramanya Swami Milk Abhisheka | Tiruchendur, for Samhara Moorthy | ₹3,500 |
Share your name and nakshatra when you book. You do not need to travel.
Skanda Sashti 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is Skanda Sashti in 2026?
Skanda Sashti 2026 begins on Tuesday 10 November and reaches Soorasamharam on Sunday 15 November. Thirukalyanam, the wedding of Lord Murugan, follows on Monday 16 November. These are the Indian dates, so devotees abroad should confirm the day with their local temple.
Which day is Soorasamharam in 2026?
Soorasamharam falls on Sunday 15 November 2026 in India. In the USA and Canada the Sashti tithi already prevails at sunset on Saturday 14 November, so some temples there hold the ceremony that evening. Check with your nearest Murugan temple.
Is Skanda Sashti the same as Kanda Sashti?
Yes. Skanda Sashti, Kanda Sashti, Skanda Shashthi and Kanda Shasti are different spellings of the same festival of Lord Murugan. Skanda is the Sanskrit name and Kanda is the Tamil form. Both refer to the six-day observance that ends on the Sashti tithi in the month of Aippasi.
How many days does Skanda Sashti last?
The vratam lasts six days, from the first day after the new moon to the Sashti tithi. In 2026 that is 10 to 15 November. The next day, 16 November, is Thirukalyanam, so many temples and families celebrate for seven days in total.
What is the difference between monthly Sashti and Kanda Sashti?
Sashti falls on the sixth day of every fortnight, so devotees of Murugan can keep a monthly Sashti vratam throughout the year. Kanda Sashti is the major annual one in the Tamil month of Aippasi, which ends with Soorasamharam and is observed over six consecutive days.
Where is Soorasamharam celebrated?
The best-known Soorasamharam is at Tiruchendur on the seashore in Thoothukudi district, one of the six Arupadai Veedu temples. Murugan temples across Tamil Nadu and in Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Australia and North America hold their own enactments.
Can I book a Skanda Sashti pooja online from outside India?
Yes. The Maha Skanda Sashti Pooja on Sunday 15 November 2026 is offered at the Ayyampettai Shiva Temple in your name and star for ₹2,350 per head, and the Milk Abhisheka is offered at Tiruchendur for ₹3,500. Share your name and nakshatra when you book.
Book a Skanda Sashti Pooja
Maha Skanda Sashti Pooja: Samuhik Abhisheka, Shathru Samhara Homa and Archana on Sunday 15 November 2026. ₹2,350 per head. Share your name and nakshatra when booking.