Essay on “Skanda Shashti” Festival
Skanda Shashti is celebrated in South India with great rejoicing and devotion in the Tamil month of Tulam during October November. Generally, it is celebrated with an extra measure of grandeur in temples dedicated to Subramanya.
According to legend, Skanda, the second son of Shiva, also known as Karthikeya or Subramanya, was born without the intervention of any female. Shiva cast his seed into the fire and it was received by the Ganges and Skanda emerged and Krittika fostered him.
In South India, there are six places which are associated with him and are considered holy. During the festival, devotees undertake fasts, prayers and devotional singing to Lord Muruga. Most of the devotees stay in the temples during these six days.
In Tiruchendur and Tiruparankundram, the festival is celebrated with the dramatic enactment of Soora Samhaaram. The offering of Kavadi on Skanda Shashti is a form of popular worship.