Kandha Sashti Vrat is one of the most celebrated festivals for Lord Murugan similar to Vaikasi Visagam, Adi Poosam and Thirukarthigai. This year SAshti vrat started on Nov Nov 13, 2023, a day after Diwali. The six days of vrat will end on Nov 18, 2023, Saturday. People who have not taken this week-long vrat can take it on the sixth day. This day marks Soorasamharam – the day on which Demon Surapadman was slayed by Lord Murugan. The event is celebrated still today in the evenings in all temples where Murugan is the presiding diety. Soorasampharam signifies the victory of good over evil and the day is as excellent day to do poojas for Murugan and visit His temples to seek blessings.
![Murugan Gayatri Mantra](https://i0.wp.com/hindumantras.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Murugan-Gayatri-mantra-1-1.jpg?resize=766%2C1024&ssl=1)
Most people take the kandha sashti vrat to seek the God’s blessings to fullfill their wish of having a child and for marriage. While these are the primary prevalent reasons, you can also take this vrat for health, wealth, and for protection from negative energies and to express our gratitude.
Here is how you can do a simple prayer on the Kandha Sashti Day
- Clean the altar and place kumkum and turmeric for Lord Murugan
- Light six ghee dhiyas signifying the six holy faces of Murugan samy.
- Offer neivediyum. A glass of milk is also fine if you cant make sweet delicacies like pongal or payasam.
- Offer flowers. Red arali and pink arali flowers (oleander) are considered favourites for Murugan samy.
- Start with a Ganesha mantra, then kula devata mantra, then Ishta devta, and then chant all the Murugan mantras that you know. It can be kandha sashti kavasam, kandha guru kavasam, or kandhar anuboothi. If you do not know these by heart, just read them with full faith.
- Chant murugan gayatri mantra as many as times as you can. 108 times is considered auspicious and is believed to give maximum benefits
- Do dheep and dhoop arti.
- Sing mangalam song and finish the prayer.
If you are from Bangalore, try visiting the Sri Subrahmanya Temple, Halasuru on this auspicious day. The temple is ancient and is very powerful. It is situated at a 2 minutes walk from the Halasuru (Ulsoor) Metro Station. You can also visit the Someshwara Temple which is also close by.
I am no expert and this is a layman’s attempt after reading many explanations and videos available on the internet. So, if I go wrong anywhere, readers who find the mistake, please correct me in the comment section so that we shall all learn together and get the Divine’s blessings.
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