Sashti Viratham 2025 is a sacred Hindu observance dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya or Subramanya. Devotees across India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Sri Lanka, observe this holy day to seek Lord Murugan’s blessings for courage, wisdom, and victory over negativity. The fast, known as Viratham, is kept on the sixth day (Sashti Tithi) of the lunar fortnight. The most famous observance is Kanda Sashti, a six-day festival that celebrates the victory of Lord Murugan over the demon Surapadman.
Sashti Viratham is not only a fast but also a path of purification and devotion. It reminds devotees of the power of discipline, faith, and spiritual strength.
Meaning of Sashti Viratham
The word “Sashti” means the sixth day of the lunar phase, and “Viratham” means fasting or observing a vow. Together, Sashti Viratham means fasting and worship performed on the sixth day of the moon cycle. This day is dedicated to Lord Murugan, who symbolizes courage, virtue, and victory.
According to legend, Lord Murugan was created by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to defeat the evil forces led by the demon Surapadman. His triumph symbolizes the destruction of ego, darkness, and ignorance. Therefore, by observing Sashti Viratham, devotees aim to remove inner negativity and attain spiritual strength.
Sashti Viratham 2025 Dates
In 2025, Sashti Viratham will occur twice every lunar month. However, some dates hold special importance because of their association with major festivals or temples.
- February 3, 2025: Shukla Paksha Sashti (Magha month)
- July 30, 2025: Sashti Tithi (Shukla Paksha)
- October 22 to October 27, 2025: The grand six-day Kanda Sashti Viratham
The six-day Kanda Sashti, which begins on October 22 and ends on October 27 with Soorasamharam, is the most sacred period of the year for Murugan devotees. During these days, temples across Tamil Nadu, including Thiruchendur and Palani, witness large gatherings and elaborate rituals.
Significance of Sashti Viratham
Sashti Viratham 2025 carries deep spiritual meaning. Fasting is not only a physical act but also a mental and emotional cleansing. Devotees believe that observing this fast helps remove bad karma, overcome fear and weakness, and bring blessings of prosperity, peace, and health.
Lord Murugan is considered the divine commander of the gods and the symbol of youth, power, and wisdom. Observing Sashti Viratham strengthens one’s inner resolve and helps overcome challenges in life. It is also believed that this vrat brings harmony in family life and protection from evil influences.
How to Observe Sashti Viratham
Observing Sashti Viratham 2025 requires faith, simplicity, and discipline. Devotees prepare mentally and physically before the day of fasting.
- Early Morning Rituals : Wake up early, take a holy bath, and clean the home and puja area. Wear clean or traditional clothes, preferably white or yellow, symbolizing purity and devotion.
- Fasting Rules
The type of fast depends on personal capacity and health conditions.- Nirjala fast: No food or water until evening puja.
- Partial fast: One simple vegetarian meal after sunset.
- Liquid fast: Only water, milk, or fruit juice during the day.
- Prayers and Mantras
Throughout the day, devotees chant Murugan mantras such as “Om Saravana Bhava” and recite hymns like Kanda Sashti Kavasam or Skanda Gayatri Mantra. Meditation, silence, and reading Murugan’s stories help maintain focus and devotion. - Evening Puja and Offerings
After sunset, devotees light a lamp and offer flowers, fruits, and simple prasadam to Lord Murugan. The fast is broken after the puja by consuming the prasadam, usually fruits, pongal, or light rice.
Kanda Sashti Viratham 2025: The Six-Day Fasting Festival
The grandest observance of Sashti occurs during Kanda Sashti 2025, from October 22 to October 27. This festival commemorates Lord Murugan’s battle with the demon Surapadman and his final victory, known as Soorasamharm.
Each day of the six-day fast represents a stage of spiritual transformation:
- Day 1: Preparation and purification.
- Day 2: Awakening divine energy within.
- Day 3: Overcoming ego and negative habits.
- Day 4: Strengthening inner devotion.
- Day 5: Building courage and determination.
- Day 6 (Soorasamharam): The ultimate victory of light over darkness.
Temples like Thiruchendur, Palani, Thirupparankundram, Swamimalai, and Pazhamudircholai hold grand celebrations during these days. Devotees witness dramatic re-enactments of Soorasamharam, chanting of Vel Vel Muruga, and processions filled with spiritual energy.
Food and Prasadam During Fasting
During Sashti Viratham 2025, devotees consume only light, vegetarian food prepared without onion or garlic. Common dishes include fruits, milk, pongal, sundal, or sweet payasam made with jaggery. The food should be simple, pure, and offered first to Lord Murugan before eating.
Avoiding heavy or spicy food helps keep the body light and mind calm. Devotees are encouraged to focus on chanting, reading scriptures, and maintaining a humble mindset throughout the fast.
Benefits of Observing Sashti Viratham 2025
Fasting and prayer during Sashti Viratham are believed to bring several benefits:
- Removal of negative energy and past karma
- Improvement in health, focus, and self-control
- Courage to overcome fear and challenges
- Blessings of prosperity, peace, and protection
- Mental clarity and spiritual awakening
Sashti Viratham is also believed to bring family harmony and relief from personal or professional difficulties. By dedicating the day to Lord Murugan, devotees invite divine energy into their lives.
Regional Celebrations
Sashti Viratham is most popular in Tamil Nadu but is also celebrated in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and among Tamil communities worldwide. Major Murugan temples such as Thiruchendur, Palani, and Swamimalai attract lakhs of devotees.
In places like Malaysia and Singapore, the festival is observed with great devotion. People gather in temples, sing devotional songs, and perform abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity) with milk, honey, and sandalwood paste.
Do’s and Don’ts During Sashti Viratham
Do’s:
- Wake up early and maintain personal and home cleanliness.
- Offer prayers and chant Murugan mantras.
- Keep a positive attitude and help others.
- Eat only sattvic food and maintain humility.
- End the fast with gratitude and devotion.
Don’ts:
- Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Avoid anger, gossip, and negative emotions.
- Do not break the fast before puja.
- Do not treat fasting as a burden—it should be an offering of love and surrender.
Conclusion
Sashti Viratham 2025 is not just a ritual; it is a spiritual journey toward self-purification and divine connection. By observing this fast with devotion, humility, and faith, devotees open the door to inner peace and divine blessings.
Whether one observes the monthly Sashti or the grand Kanda Sashti, the goal remains the same—victory of light over darkness, of wisdom over ignorance, and of faith over fear. May Lord Murugan’s blessings bring you strength, clarity, and peace throughout the year.
FAQs on Sashti Viratham 2025
1. What is Sashti Viratham?
It is a fast and vow observed on the sixth lunar day to worship Lord Murugan, symbolizing purity, devotion, and spiritual discipline.
2. When is Sashti Viratham 2025?
It is observed twice a month, but the most important Kanda Sashti Viratham is from October 22 to October 27, 2025.
3. What should be eaten during Sashti Viratham?
Only simple vegetarian food like fruits, milk, pongal, or sundal—avoiding onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian dishes.
4. Can Sashti Viratham be observed at home?
Yes. You can observe it at home by keeping the place clean, fasting, offering prayers, and chanting Lord Murugan’s mantras.
5. What are the benefits of Sashti Viratham 2025?
It helps remove obstacles, improves willpower, brings inner peace, and invites divine blessings from Lord Murugan.
Krishna Mishra writes for Insights of Hinduism, where he shares heartfelt thoughts on festivals, traditions, and the timeless wisdom of Sanatan Dharma. His aim is to keep the essence of Hindu culture alive in a way that feels simple, authentic, and relatable to everyone.