AstrologgerSkanda Sashti in December 2026
When is Skanda Sashti in December 2026? Tuesday, 15 December — tithi 14 Dec 7:16 PM to 15 Dec 9:20 PM (New Delhi).
| Date | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends | Name | Day | Paksha / Month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec 2026UPCOMING | 14 Dec, 7:16 PM | 15 Dec, 9:20 PM | Skanda Sashti (Margashirsha) | Tue | Shukla · Margashirsha |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Skanda Sashti timings in December 2026
When each tithi begins, when it ends, and how long it actually runs — computed for Delhi (IST).
| Date | Tithi begins | Tithi ends | Duration | Day | Paksha | Lunar month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec | 14 Dec, 7:16 PM | 15 Dec, 9:20 PM | 26 hours 4 minutes | Tuesday | Shukla | Margashirsha |
Each Skanda Sashti this month
Skanda Sashti (Margashirsha) — Tuesday 15 Dec, in the Shukla paksha of Margashirsha (purnimanta). The tithi runs 26 hours 4 minutes, from 14 Dec 7:16 PM.
How December compares
Across 2026, a Skanda Sashti tithi averages 23 hours 51 minutes. In December it averages 26 hours 4 minutes — longer than the year's average.
Over the year the figure ranges from 21 hours 29 minutes in March to 26 hours 37 minutes in November. The spread exists because the Moon does not move at a constant rate, so a tithi is not a fixed length — which is why the vrat date shifts against the English calendar from month to month.
There are 12 Skanda Sashtis in 2026, of which 1 falls in December.
Every other vrat in December 2026
The other observances falling in the same month, in calendar order.
| Vrat | Dates | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Kalashtami | 1 Dec — Kalabhairav Jayanti · 30 Dec — Kalashtami (Pausha) | View |
| Ekadashi | 4 Dec — Utpanna Ekadashi · 20 Dec — Mokshada Ekadashi | View |
| Pradosh Vrat | 6 Dec — Ravi Pradosh · 21 Dec — Som Pradosh | View |
| Masik Shivratri | 7 Dec — Masik Shivratri (Margashirsha) | View |
| Amavasya | 8 Dec — Bhaumvati Amavasya | View |
| Vinayaka Chaturthi | 13 Dec — Vinayaka Chaturthi (Margashirsha) | View |
| Masik Durgashtami | 17 Dec — Masik Durgashtami (Margashirsha) | View |
| Masik Karthigai | 21 Dec — Masik Karthigai (Margashirsha) | View |
| Purnima | 23 Dec — Margashirsha Purnima | View |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | 26 Dec — Akhuratha Sankashti | View |
What is Skanda Sashti?
Skanda Sashti honours Kartikeya (Murugan) on the sixth tithi of the waxing fortnight each month. The tithi is his own — Shashthi Devi is associated with his care — and devotees keep it for courage, victory over inner enemies, and the well-being of children.
Soorasamharam
The annual Skanda Sashti of Kartika commemorates the six-day battle in which Murugan vanquished Surapadman, celebrated with dramatic re-enactments at Tiruchendur and Murugan temples worldwide. The monthly Sashtis carry the same devotion through the year.
How the vrat is kept
Skanda Sashti is observed as a fast on the Shukla Sashti, and the great annual observance of Aippasi runs six days from Pratipada to Sashti. Practice ranges widely: some keep a full fast, some take only liquids, and many take a single sattvic meal at night after the puja, avoiding onion and garlic. Non-vegetarian food is set aside for the period. The day begins with an early bath and a sankalp, and worship is offered to Murugan with a ghee lamp, flowers and fruit.
The Kanda Sashti Kavacham
The recitation most associated with the vrat is the Kanda Sashti Kavacham, a Tamil hymn of protection addressed to Kartikeya, composed by Devaraya Swamigal in the nineteenth century at Chennimalai. Devotees recite it through the day, and in Murugan temples it is sung repeatedly over the six days. A kavacham is an armour hymn, and the text is kept in that spirit — a prayer for protection rather than a spell.
Significance
Sashti is Murugan's tithi, and the monthly observance is kept for health, courage and protection, particularly for the wellbeing of children. The six days of the annual vrat mirror his six faces and the six sparks from Shiva's third eye from which tradition says he arose. In the Tamil tradition his six principal shrines, the Arupadai Veedu, are the focus of pilgrimage in this season.
Skanda Sashti puja samagri
Gather these before the puja:
- An image or idol of Murugan (Kartikeya)
- A ghee lamp
- Fresh flowers, especially red ones
- A vel (spear) if kept in the home shrine
- Seasonal fruit and coconut
- Sandalwood and vibhuti
- Incense (dhoop)
- Panchamrit
- Betel leaves and nuts
Frequently asked questions
When is Skanda Sashti in December 2026?+
December 2026 has one Skanda Sashti: Skanda Sashti (Margashirsha) — Tuesday, 15 December 2026. Timings are computed for New Delhi.
What is the Skanda Sashti tithi time in December 2026?+
15 December: tithi 14 Dec 7:16 PM to 15 Dec 9:20 PM. (New Delhi, IST)
How many Skanda Sashti are in 2026?+
There are 12 Skanda Sashti in 2026 for the Delhi region — one each lunar month on the Shukla Shashthi.
Who is Skanda?+
Skanda — also called Kartikeya, Murugan or Subrahmanya — is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander of the gods' army, especially revered in Tamil tradition.
Which Skanda Sashti is the main one?+
The Shashthi after Deepavali in the month of Kartika (Aippasi in the Tamil calendar) is the great Skanda Sashti, ending with Soorasamharam — the victory over the demon Surapadman.
How is the vrat kept?+
Devotees fast for the day, visit Murugan temples, and recite the Skanda Sashti Kavacham. Practice varies by region and devotion.
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