Shasti: Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance
Shasti or ‘Shashti’ is an auspicious day for Hindus belonging to the Tamil community. This day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Murugan. On this day Muruga devotees observe fasting to please their lord and invoke His blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
Shasti October 2026
Shasti is observed on the sixth day of each lunar fortnight, that is, Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) and Krishna Paksha (the period of waning phase of moon) of every lunar month in the traditional Hindu calendar. Thus there are two occurrences of Shasti every month. However, Shasti that falls during the Krishna Paksha is associated with Lord Subrahmanya or Lord Murugan.
Shasti 2026 is on October 16 Friday
25 days to go for the event
Shashthi Tithi Timing :
October 16, 3:25 am - October 17, 5:54 am
Rituals of Shasti
Fasting is the most important ritual of the day. On Shasti, devotees keep a partial or full fasting to appease Lord Murugan. The Shasti vrat begins at the time of sunrise and comes to an end on the following day after offering prayers to the Sun God.
Those who keep strict vrat do not eat food for complete 24 hours of fasting. Partial fasting can be done by eating fruits. People who have health problems can even keep Shasti fasting by eating s single meal during the day.
The observer of the Shasti vrat is restricted from eating certain spices on the day. Eating non-vegetarian food and consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
On Shasti, Murugan devotees also read ‘Skanda Purana’ and recite the ‘Skanda Shasti Kavacham’. On this day it is considered very auspicious to visit the temples of Lord Murugan in the evening.
Important Timings On Shasti 2026
| Shashthi Tithi Timing | October 16, 03:25 AM - October 17, 05:54 AM |
| Place : Ujjain [ India ] See More | |
Significance of Shasti 2026:
Shasti is the day of worshipping Lord Murugan. He is the Hindu God of War who is known by different names like ‘Kartikeya’, ‘Subramaniya’, ‘Skanda’, ‘Kumara Swami’ and ‘Kumaran’.
Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Deva’s army. Lord Murugan is primarily worshipped in area with Tamil population.
The six important shrines of Lord Murugan are located in Tamil Nadu itself. According to the Hindu legends, it was on the day of Shasti that Lord Murugan defeated the demon named ‘Soorapadman’.
It is believed that a person who offers prayers and observes fasting on Shasti will generously receive blessings of Lord Murugan.
All Shasti dates in 2026
| January 24th Saturday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Jan 24, 1:46 AM - Jan 25, 12:40 AM |
| February 22nd Sunday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Feb 22, 11:10 AM - Feb 23, 9:09 AM |
| March 24th Tuesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Mar 23, 6:38 PM - Mar 24, 4:08 PM |
| April 22nd Wednesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Apr 22, 1:20 AM - Apr 22, 10:50 PM |
| May 21st Thursday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : May 21, 8:27 AM - May 22, 6:25 AM |
| June 20th Saturday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Jun 19, 5:00 PM - Jun 20, 3:47 PM |
| July 19th Sunday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Jul 19, 3:43 AM - Jul 20, 3:30 AM |
| August 18th Tuesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Aug 17, 5:00 PM - Aug 18, 5:51 PM |
| September 17th Thursday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Sep 16, 8:59 AM - Sep 17, 10:48 AM |
| October 16th Friday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Oct 16, 3:25 AM - Oct 17, 5:54 AM |
| November 15th Sunday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Nov 14, 11:24 PM - Nov 16, 2:01 AM |
| December 15th Tuesday |
Shashthi Tithi Timing : Dec 14, 7:16 PM - Dec 15, 9:19 PM |
Other Related Festivals
Disclaimer:This page is provided for informational purposes only. Dates, timings, rituals, celebrations, and observances may vary by location, calendar system, panchang calculations, regional traditions, and local customs.