Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, has a holy feast called Sashti Viratham. Devotees follow this strict Vratham (fasting vow) to pray Murugan for safety, success, and spiritual progress. The Shukla Paksha Sashti is the sixth day after the New Moon, which happens every month.
What Sashti and Viratham stand
Sashti is the sixth day of the lunar fortnight, and Viratham is a vow or ritual fasting that is done with devotion and discipline. Sashti Viratham is a day of cleaning, atoning, and surrendering in to God’s grace.
Link to Lord Murugan
Lord Murugan, who is also known as Subramanya, Skanda, or Kartikeya, is the perfect example of bravery, intelligence, and divine knowledge. He believes that Sashti is very holy because it honors His victory over the demon Surapadman. People who follow Sashti Viratham think that by doing it with all their heart, they can beat their own enemies, such anger, ego, and ignorance.
The Vratham’s Spiritual Goal
Sashti Viratham’s spiritual meaning is to clean the mind and body via prayer, fasting, and meditation. It teaches you how to be humble, control yourself, and get closer to God. The Vratham asks Murugan’s energies to get rid of evil energy and bring peace inside.
Dates for Sashti Viratham in 2026
Dates for Sashti Vratham in 2026 every month
A year has twelve Sashti days. In 2026, the Sashti Viratham days will be around six days after each Amavasya (New Moon). Every Sashti day is auspicious, but the ones in the Tamil months of Aadi, Aippasi, and Thai are the most important.
The Aippasi Month and Kanda Sashti Viratham are very important in 2026. Followers of Murugan think that the Aippasi month (October to November) is the most sacred time. This month’s Kanda Sashti Viratham honors the battle in heaven between Lord Murugan and the demon Surapadman. The six-day fast ends with Soorasamharam, which signifies “the victory of good over evil.” The Aippasi Kanda Sashti Viratham is expected to start on October 7, 2026, and end with Soorasamharam on October 12, 2026.
Day 1, October 7 is the first day of the 2026 7 Days Sashti Viratham. It begins with Sankalpam and purification procedures.
Day 2, October 8: The fast gets stronger as people sing holy melodies.
Day 3, October 9: Murugan Bhajans and prayers that never end.
Day 4: Read the Skanda Purana and think about it.
Day 5—October 11: A night of prayer and spiritual reflection.
Day 6-October 12: The Soorasamharam was a major occasion.
Day 7—October 13: The holy wedding of Murugan and Deivayanai, which is known as Thirukalyanam.
Soorasamharam 2026: Murugan’s Day of Victory
People will celebrate Soorasamharam on Sunday, October 12, 2026. There will be colorful processions, recitals, and dramatic rites in temples all around Tamil Nadu and other places to reenact the fight between Murugan and Surapadman.
The Story of Sashti Viratham
The Battle Between Lord Murugan and Surapadman
The Skanda Purana relates that the demon Surapadman hurt the devas, who then appealed to Lord Shiva for relief. Shiva’s divine spark gave birth to Murugan, the god of war. On the seventh day, he beat Surapadman after six days of fighting, bringing back peace and dharma.
What does Soorasamharam mean?
Soorasamharam depicts how light always wins over darkness. Surapadman represents pride and ignorance, while Murugan represents divine knowledge and discipline. The fight highlights how everyone has a spiritual war and how religion can help you win.
What we can learn from the Skanda Purana
The Skanda Purana teaches that faith, courage, and doing the right thing may defeat even the worst evils. It adds that giving in to Murugan helps you see through the illusions of the world and gives you heavenly knowledge.
How to Celebrate Sashti Viratham in 2026
Before the Vratham, devotees take a holy bath, say prayers, and make a Sankalpam (spiritual resolution) to finish the fasting. Every morning and evening, the home altar is cleaned, Murugan’s statue is decorated, and lights are lit.
How to Fast and What to Do
Different devotees use different ways to fast. Some people merely drink water when they are fasting, while others eat fruits and drink milk. The most important thing is to keep your mind and body clean all day. They don’t eat meat, consume alcohol, or feel horrible about who they are.
Every day, do puja and say Kanda Shasti Kavasam.
During the Vratham, devotees chant Kanda Shasti Kavasam, a powerful song that invokes Murugan for protection and blessings. Lighting lamps, donating flowers, and repeating His six holy names—Saravana, Shanmuga, Subramanya, Skanda, Kumara, and Velan—are all parts of daily puja.
Visiting Murugan Temples
The Vratham is more spiritually important when you go on a trip to Murugan temples like Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, and Thiruttani. There are major celebrations at these temples with abhishekams, parades, and devotional music.
What you should and shouldn’t do at Sashti Viratham
Do: Keep your mind clear, say mantras, and do good things.
Stay away from gossip, anger, and other things that will distract you from what you’re doing.
Give meals to people in need and practice annadhanam.
Kandha Sashti Viratham for 7 Days in 2026
Day 1: Cleansing and Starting Daily Spiritual and Ritual Practices
Devotees take a holy bath in the morning, swear to fast, and start chanting Murugan’s names to signify that they are purifying their bodies and minds.
Days 2–5: Not eating or drinking anything and praying all the time
The middle days are for deep meditation, reading the Bible, and chanting. The mind gets quiet when worldly thoughts go away.
Day 6: The Soorasamharam Celebration. Temples illustrate the conflict between gods through spiritual reenactments. The climax is when Surapadman is killed and light wins.
Day 7: Thirukalyanam, the holy wedding of Murugan and Deivayanai
The celebration finishes with the heavenly wedding of Lord Murugan and Deivayanai, which represents for spiritual fulfillment and divine harmony.
Soorasamharam takes place mostly in the Tiruchendur Murugan Temple.
People who worship at the Palani Murugan Temple ascend the hill while saying Murugan’s names.
People know Swamimalai Temple for imparting the spiritual term “Om.”
Thirupparangunram and Thiruttani Temples hold amazing processions and beautiful weddings.
The Importance of Soorasamharam 2026
Important Dates and Festivals
The Tamil month of Aippasi will have Soorasamharam 2026 on Sunday, October 12. Devotees fast from the early morning, meet at the temple, and watch the Lord’s victory parade.
Where Soorasamharam Events Happen in Temples
In Palani, Thiruttani, Swamimalai, and Thiruparankundram, there are also major festivals. There are also great celebrations at temples in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
The spiritual meaning of light’s victory over darkness
Soorasamharam tells humanity that heavenly wisdom can overcome hatred and ignorance. It inspires one to embrace virtue, humility, and dedication in daily life.
Sashti Viratham’s Benefits
Fasting cleanses the soul and strengthens the connection with God. Praying all the time helps your heart and mind get in line with Murugan’s grace.
Taking away negativity and impediments
Murugan’s blessings help with job, health, and relationships by fixing issues. Many people who follow the Vratham say it keeps bad things away.
Sashti Viratham is good for your health, success, and peace of mind. The organized program makes you stronger spiritually and emotionally.
Faith and mental discipline are getting stronger.
The Vratham helps devotees learn how to control their impulses and stay dedicated, which helps them combat cravings.
Maha Kanda Sashti Viratham 2026
What it means and why it matters
If the planets and the moon are in the right places at the same time, that year’s Kanda Sashti is called Maha Kanda Sashti. Astrologers say that in 2026, there will be a unique alignment that makes spiritual power stronger.
What Makes This Year Special for Devotees
In 2026, the stars will be in a good place, which will give it more energy. People who do the Vratham this year think it will help them spiritually more than last year.
Joining in group prayers and puja
A lot of temples and Murugan groups do group chanting, bhajans, and homams. Group worship creates divine vibrations and connection among devotees.
Celebrations of Kanda Sashti at temples
Tamil Nadu’s Big Parties
Temples in Tamil Nadu come to life with colorful processions, abhishekams, and Vedic chanting. There are beautiful decorations and cultural shows to honor the god.
Murugan Temples in India and Other Countries
Murugan temples all over the world, from Chennai to Colombo and Kuala Lumpur to London, celebrate Sashti with the same zeal, uniting people of the same faith.
What devotees do During the Seven-Day Festival, devotees fast, chant bhajans, do abhishekam, and take part in processions. There is faith, song, and spiritual joy all around.
The meaning of Sashti Viratham 2026
Sashti Viratham 2026 reminds us of the eternal fight against the darkness within us. People can get through life’s problems and find peace with God by having faith, fasting, and being devoted to Lord Murugan.
Asking Lord Murugan for safety and success
Devotees ask for Murugan’s blessings for wealth, safety, and knowledge by sincerely following Sashti Viratham. His Vel stands for the power to get rid of ignorance and guide the soul to the truth that will stay eternally.
Conclusion
Sashti Viratham 2026 stands as a divine reminder of faith, devotion, and discipline. By observing this sacred fast, devotees of Lord Murugan seek not only protection and prosperity but also inner transformation. The rituals, fasting, and prayers during the seven-day Kanda Sashti period symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
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.