Skanda Sashti Vratam Rules for 2026: Fasting and Daily Practice
Many devotees ask the same practical questions before Kanda Sashti: how strict should the fast be, what can be eaten, and what does a normal day look like. Here are the common practices, with the caveat that traditions differ between families and temples.
The Skanda Sashti vratam is a six-day observance for Lord Murugan, kept from Tuesday 10 to Sunday 15 November 2026. Non-vegetarian food is avoided. Some devotees take one meal a day or only milk and fruit, and many recite Kanda Sashti Kavasam and visit a Murugan temple. Fasting suits only those who are fit.
By Dr. Mekhala V Jois · Last updated: 27 October 2026
How Strict Should the Fast Be?
There is no single rule. Published guides describe a range of practices, and temples and families follow their own. Choose what your health and household allow, and speak to a family elder or priest if you are unsure.
| Option | What it involves | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Strict fast | Only water, coconut water or fruit juices through the day | Healthy adults who are used to fasting |
| One meal a day | A single sattvic meal, taken at noon by some devotees and at night by others | Healthy adults who want a firm but safe fast |
| Milk and fruit | Avoiding solid food and taking milk, fruit and other light liquids | Those who want to fast but need regular energy |
| Simple vegetarian diet | Normal sattvic vegetarian meals, with non-vegetarian food avoided | Anyone, including people on medication, the elderly and those who are unwell |
A health note. Fasting is meant for people who are physically and mentally fit. If you take regular medication, are unwell, or have a condition such as diabetes, keep your normal diet and observe the vratam through prayer. This page is not medical advice.
What Is Avoided During the Vratam?
Non-vegetarian food. This is the one restriction nearly every tradition shares.
Garlic and onion. Some families avoid them as well. Others do not. Follow your own custom.
Heavy, rich or fried meals. Food during the vratam is traditionally sattvic, meaning simple, fresh and light.
Quarrels and idle talk. Devotees treat the six days as a time to keep the mind calm and the speech gentle.
What a Day of the Vratam Looks Like
A simple daily routine for the Skanda Sashti vratam
Devotees usually follow a daily rhythm like this. None of it is compulsory, and the order changes between households.
Early bath. Most devotees bathe before sunrise and wear clean clothes.
A lamp and a picture of Murugan. Clean the picture, apply sandal paste and kumkum, offer flowers and light a lamp.
Recite the Kavasam. Many read Kanda Sashti Kavasam or Subramanya Bhujangam each day. See our Kavasam guide.
Visit a Murugan temple. Those who can go to a temple during the six days. Others pray at home.
Eat simply and early to bed. Break the day’s fast according to the option you chose and keep the evening quiet.
The Six Days in 2026
| Day | Date | Suggested focus |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tuesday 10 November | Begin with the sankalpam: say your intention aloud before Murugan |
| Day 2 | Wednesday 11 November | Daily routine and Kavasam |
| Day 3 | Thursday 12 November | Daily routine and Kavasam |
| Day 4 | Friday 13 November | Daily routine and Kavasam |
| Day 5 | Saturday 14 November | Daily routine. Prepare for Sashti day |
| Day 6 | Sunday 15 November | Soorasamharam. Visit a temple or follow the ceremony, then break the fast as your custom allows |
Dates are for India. Confirm with your local temple if you live in North America, where some temples observe Soorasamharam on 14 November.
Who Traditionally Keeps the Vratam?
The Kanda Sashti vratam is open to everyone. Tamil devotional writing says it is traditionally kept by couples hoping for children, by people dealing with illness, debt or opposition, and by anyone seeking Murugan’s grace for clarity and courage. Many devotees have experienced meaningful improvement, though results are a matter of faith and are never guaranteed.
If you cannot keep the six days yourself, you can still take part. A pooja can be offered in your name and star: see the Maha Skanda Sashti Pooja on 15 November, or read about Skanda Sashti pooja online.
Skanda Sashti Vratam: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Skanda Sashti vratam rules?
The core rules are to avoid non-vegetarian food, keep the six days from 10 to 15 November 2026 with prayer, and recite Kanda Sashti Kavasam or visit a Murugan temple. Beyond that, practice varies. Some take one meal a day, some only milk and fruit, and some a simple vegetarian diet.
Can I drink water during the Skanda Sashti fast?
Yes. Even among strict fasters, water is generally allowed, and many also take coconut water or fruit juice. Fasting without any water is not a standard practice. If you have a health condition, follow a doctor’s advice rather than a fixed rule.
What can I eat during Kanda Sashti viratham?
Common choices are fruit, milk, and simple sattvic vegetarian meals. Some devotees avoid onion and garlic. Heavy, fried and non-vegetarian foods are avoided. Choose the option your health allows, and keep the food fresh and light.
Do I have to fast for all six days?
No. Many devotees fast for all six days, some fast only on the final Sashti day, and others keep a simple diet and pray. Follow the tradition of your family or temple. There is no penalty for choosing a gentler option.
How do I break the fast on Soorasamharam?
Many families break the fast after the Soorasamharam ceremony on the evening of 15 November, often with a simple meal and prasad. Some temples give guidance on timing. Follow your family custom, and break the fast gently if you have fasted strictly.
Is the monthly Sashti vratam the same as Kanda Sashti?
They are related but different. Sashti falls twice a month, and devotees of Murugan can fast on each one. Kanda Sashti is the major annual six-day vratam in the month of Aippasi, which ends with Soorasamharam.
Can I keep the Skanda Sashti vratam if I cannot visit a temple?
Yes. You can keep the vratam at home with a picture of Murugan, a lamp, and the Kavasam. You can also have a pooja offered in your name and star at a temple, which is the purpose of a sankalpa-based pooja.
Offer a Pooja in Your Name and Star
Maha Skanda Sashti Pooja on Sunday 15 November 2026 at the Ayyampettai Shiva Temple. ₹2,350 per head. Share your name and nakshatra when booking.