Kanda Sashti: Murugan Idol, Vel, Karungali Mala and Kada

What is Kanda Sashti?

Kanda Sashti, also called Skanda Sashti, is a festival of Lord Murugan. Devotees remember his victory over the demon Surapadman, which is told in the Soorasamharam.

Observance differs by family and temple tradition. Many devotees fast, visit a Murugan shrine and chant hymns or mantras such as Om Saravana Bhava. Follow your own custom or the guidance of your elders.

Murugan and Vel pieces in this edit

• Altar piece: the Lord Murugan statue for home decor and pooja altar.
• Vel: the Karungali Vel with base, listed as ebony wood.
• Malas: the Lord Murugan Vel pendant with silver cap Karungali mala and the Karungali malai with Vel pendant.
• Daily wear: the Murugan Vel kada.

The Vel is the spear of Lord Murugan, and many devotees keep it on the home altar.

Choosing a piece for your home and family tradition

Start with how you will use it. An altar piece suits a home mandir. A mala suits japa, and a kada or pendant suits daily wear.

Each product page states its size, material and care. Compare them before you choose, and check how a pendant, chain or cap is described. Some designs combine Karungali with a silver cap, so read the finish on the listing.

More Murugan and festival pieces

Lord Murugan is also honoured at Thaipusam, and many Tamil homes light rows of lamps for Karthigai Deepam. See the Thaipusam edit and the Karthigai Deepam edit for related pieces.

For more Karungali designs, browse Karungali malai or the full Karungali collection. Each product page lists its own size, material and care, so compare them before you decide.

Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya, Skanda and Subramanya. Which name you use depends on your region and family tradition.