Shasti Vratam Dedicated to Muruga in May 2009

Shashti Vratam, or Sashti, is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the main observance is fasting. Shasti fast falls on the sixth day after Amavasi (no moon) and Pournami (full moon) in a traditional Hindu calendar. The Sashti day after Amavasi is considered highly auspicious for fasting by Muruga devotees. In May 2009, the Sashti fasting date is May 29.

Shasti fasting is mainly observed in South India and in those regions around the world where Lord Muruga is worshipped. It is a 24-hour fast starting from sunrise to next day sunrise. Most devotees take a single meal on the day.

Lord Muruga is also known as Skanda, Shanmugha and Subramanian. In North India, Lord Muruga is known as Kartik or Kartikeya.

On Shashti fasting day, devotees visit Lord Muruga temples from early morning and some people only eat the Prasadam given from the temple. Some temples conduct special pujas and spiritual discourse on the Shasti day. There are also temples that provide free food to devotees.