Subrahmanya Sashti is the sixth day of the waxing Moon in the lunar month of Margashira, a month after Skanda Sashti. Tamil Nadu gives its great celebration to the earlier one; this Sashti is kept more quietly, as a fast for the birth and health of children, and it is the main festival of Subrahmanya in neighbouring Karnataka and Andhra. Every Sashti of the year is Murugan's, and this one is counted among the strongest.
The story
A Tamil proverb plays on the word: "sattiyil irundhal thaan agappaiyil varum", only if it is in the pot will it come up in the ladle. It is heard as "only if you keep Sashti will it come in the womb", and the fast is kept by couples who want a child.
Outside the Tamil country Subrahmanya is linked with serpents, and this day is given to the worship of snake stones and the lifting of their curse.
How it is kept
- The fastA day on milk and fruit, or a single meal.
- AbhishekamMilk and panchamirtham are offered at the nearest Murugan shrine.
- TiruppugazhArunagirinathar's hymns are sung.
- Feeding the youngUnmarried boys are fed as forms of the boy-god.
Why this date
Subrahmanya Sashti is the Shashthi of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Margashira, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Subrahmanya Sashti in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Wednesday | |
| 2029 | Tuesday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Tamil festivals
4 NovemberSkanda Sashtiகந்த சஷ்டி
11 DecemberKarthigai Deepamகார்த்திகை தீபம்
20 December 2026Vaikuntha Ekadasiவைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி
28 OctoberDeepavaliதீபாவளி
9 OctoberVijayadashamiவிஜயதசமி
9 OctoberSaraswati Puja and Ayudha Pujaசரஸ்வதி பூஜை · ஆயுத பூஜை
Where to see Subrahmanya Sashti
In Tamil Nadu
- SwamimalaiTamil NaduMurugan as teacher, on a small hill of sixty steps, one for each Tamil year.
- TiruttaniTamil NaduThe hill of 365 steps near the Andhra border.
- Vadapalani, ChennaiTamil NaduThe city's best-loved Murugan temple.
Across India
- Kukke SubramanyaKarnatakaChampa Shashti, with the chariot festival.
- MopideviAndhra PradeshSubrahmanya worshipped as a serpent in the Krishna delta.
- JejuriMaharashtraThe same day is Champa Shashthi for Khandoba.