The "Kopuram" of Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple in Colombo.

The main entrance and "Kopuram" of Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple in Colombo

The males are required to remove the shirt, before entering

"Omam" is offered to the God on special day

Kantha Sashti is observed for six days beginning on the new moon of the Hindu month of Aipasi (October/November). Devotees of Lord Muruga observe a fast on those days. The Skanda Sashti Kavasam is a famous hymn that is sung particularly on this festive occasion in praise of Lord Muruga and reciting this hymn is said to shield one from ill fate.

Special "Omam" was offered to the "Kumbam" on the last day of "Kantha Sashti"

Devotees take part in the special "Omam"; Special "Omam" was offered to the "Kumbam" on the last day of "Kantha Sashti"

"Thiraiseelai"

"Thiraiseelai"

Devotees pray

Devotees at the temple

Devotees at the temple

Devotees pray, while the pooja is performed

Pooja is performed.

A young devotee reads the "Kantha Sashti Kavasam"

Another devotee reads the "Kantha Sashti Kavasam"

Male devotees, who were fasting during "Kantha Sashti" wear the "Thetpai" on the right hand for six days.
And the female devotees ,who were fasting during "Kantha Sashti" wear the "Thetpai" on the left hand for six days.

An elderly devotee reads the "Kantha Sashti Kavasam"

God Kanthan and Goddess Valli and Goddess Theivaiyanai

Special "Shanmuga Archchanai" is performed to the God Kanthan on the last day of "Kantha Sashti"

"Panchcharaththi" are being offered to the God

"Panchcharaththi" are being offered to the God

The "Kumbam" has been kept for six days

Devotees worship the "Panchcharaththi"

Devotees worship the "Panchcharaththi"

The Hindu priests say that, Hindus have to worship the "Panchchapoothangal"-Water,Land,Air,Fire and Sky.

Devotees in the temple

A female devotee is making "Maavizhakku" in the temple

"Maavizhakku" lit on ghee

"Nathaswaram" is played

"Thavil" is played

Tot devotee

Camphor is lit

Devotees worship the Camphor

"Sevvilaneer" -King coconut to be offered to God

Mangoes, To be added for "Panchamirtham"

"Panchamirtham" is being prepared

Camphor is lit

Kantha Sashti

Kantha Sashti is observed for six days beginning on the new moon of the Hindu month of Aipasi (October/November). Devotees of Lord Muruga observe a fast on those days. The Skanda Sashti Kavasam is a famous hymn that is sung particularly on this festive occasion in praise of Lord Muruga and reciting this hymn is said to shield one from ill fate.

Kantha Sashti is a celebration of the day on which Lord Muruga defeated the asura (demon) Surapadman. With an all-powerful vel (lance) received from his mother Goddess Parvathi and the God’s army, Lord Muruga fought against the armies of the asuras (demons) Simhamukhan, Surapadman and Tarakasuran on a six day battle. On the sixth day he annihilated all of them thus liberating the devas (celestial beings)
from their torment.

Kandhar Sashti Kavasam

by Sri ThEvarAya SwAmigaL
Meanings in English

Kural Venpaa - The Greatness

May Karmic sufferings and worries cease, wealth and spirituality grow, and prayers be
granted to those who memorise and chant this Kandha Shasti Kavasam.

Kaappu - Dedication

To Lord Kumaran, who ended the woes of the Devas,
On His Lovely Feet shall we meditate ...

The Kavasam Invocation

He who fulfills the wishes of His devotees,
whose tinkling anklets produce melodious sounds,
He who approaches me in slow and graceful steps,
The rider of the Peacock.
Come and protect me with your Vel.
Welcome to Thee, Lord of the Vel.
Welcome to Thee, O Rider of the Peacock.

Beginning with Inthiran,
the Devas of all the eight directions pay their obeisance to You.
Wielder of the Mystical Vel, welcome.
Son-in-law of Vasavan (Thevendran), welcome.
You who are in the mind of the loving Tribal Maiden, Valli, welcome.
Lord, You who are six-faced, welcome.
Lord, whose forehead is adorned with sacred ash, come every day.
Lord of Sira Malai, Lord Velayuthan, come quickly.
Lord of Saravanabava, come instantly.

The six letters of Lord Muruga's name, (sa, ra, va, na, ba, va)
are interchanged and their interplay gives rise
to these rhythms of melody that accompany
the graceful approach of the Lord on His Peacock.
Lord Muruga embodies the form of these six letters thus;
He is also referred to as 'Lord Saravanabava'.
Salutations are offered to the brave Lord of Saravana Poygai,
who is approaching on His vahana (vehicle), the peacock.
Salutations are offered again to the brave Lord General of the Devas
in their battle against the Asuras.

You who assumed Lordship over me, in Your twelve hands,
You hold twelve weapons, the twelve 'paasa' and the 'angkusams'.
With Your twelve wide-opened, shiny eyes,
throw Your protecting glance on me,
O Lord, and grant me the grace of Your protection.

Reference is made to the 'bija' mantras, 'im', 'klim', 'saum'.
A 'bija' or seed is a significant word or series of words
which give it a special power or 'sakti'. The bija-mantras have a
significant inner meaning which is subtle and mystic.

O Lord of the Kundalini, Son of Siva,
and in-Dweller of the Heart, come daily to protect me.

Meditation on the divine form

O Lord, You who are six-faced,
with your six bejewelled crowns,
Your vibhuti-adorned foreheads and long eye-brows,
twelve eyes and ruddy lips,
You wear various pearled jewels.

With dainty earrings on Your twelve ears,
various flower garlands and diamonds,
pearled ornaments and nine-gemmed chains.

You wear the sacred investiture thread across
Your bejewelled chest and beautiful abdomen.

Your silken sash and girdle encircle Your full waist,
with a mini-gemmed diadem adorning Your silken robes.
Your beautiful legs and ankletted feet
produce a harmonious blend of melodious notes
most pleasant to the ear.

Segakana .. segakana .. segakana .. sekana ..
Moga .. moga .. moga .. moga .. moga .. moga .. mogana
Naga .. naga .. naga .. naga .. naga .. naga .. nagana
Digukuna .. digu .. digu ..digukuna .. dikuna
Ra .. ra .. ra .. ra .... ra .. ra .. ra .. ra ....
ra .. ra .. ra .. ra .... ra .. ra .. ra
Ri .. ri .. ri .. ri .... ri .. ri .. ri .. ri ....
ri .. ri .. ri .. ri .... ri .. ri .. ri
Du .. du .. du .. du .... du .. du .. du .. du ....
du .. du .. du .. du .... du .. du .. du
Dagu .. dagu .. digu .. digu .. dangu .. dinguku

O Rider astride the Peacock, come quickly!
O Lord of the three letters (Mu-Ru-Ga), come!
O Lord who resides in Swamimalai (Eragam)
and grants Darshan from therein,
grant me, Your child, Your favour.

I turn to You for salvation and prostrate before
Your Holy Feet in submission, protect me,
O Lord, for my life is but Your own.

With Your twelve eyes, protect Your child ...
Protect the face .. O Beautiful Vel.
Protect the vibhuti adorned forehead .. O Pure Vel.
Protect the two eyes .. O Shining Vel.
Protect the two ears .. O Lord of the Vel.
Protect the two nostrils .. O Good Vel.
Protect the mouth .. O Great Vel.
Protect the thirty-two teeth .. O Piercing Vel.
Protect the tongue .. O Perfect Vel.
Protect the two cheeks .. O Brilliant vel.
Protect the neck .. O Sweet Vel.
Protect the chest .. O Bejewelled Vel.
Protect the shoulders .. O Sharp Vel.
Protect the nape .. O Great Vel.
Protect the back .. O Vel of Grace.
Protect the sixteen rib bones .. O Youthful Vel.
Protect the stomach .. O Ever Victorius Vel.
Protect the slender waist .. O Perfect Vel.
Protect the umbilicus .. O Benevolent Vel.
Protect the organs of reproduction and excretion .. O Good and Beautiful Vel.
Protect the two thighs .. O Great Vel.
Protect the knees and calves .. O Bright Vel.
Protect the toes and feet .. O Vel of Grace.
Protect the two hands .. O Vel of Mercy.
Protect the two forearms .. O Strong Vel.

Grant that Lakshmi resides in my arms.
May Saraswathi abide in my speech
and may my Hridya Kamalam
(The ten-petalled lotus of the heart; the Jivatma's abode.)
be protected by the Benevolent Vel.

May Ida, Pingala and Sushumna (nerve currents)
be protected by the Victorious Vel.
For as long as my tongue can utter Your name
(for as long as I'm alive),
May Your Golden Vel come
with the speed of lightning to protect me.

May Vachiravel protect me each day and night, everyday.
May He Protect me in the early hours of the night,
mid-hours of the night and pre-dawn hours.
During dawn and dusk, protect me, O Very Vigilant Vel.

Without any delay, come O Golden Vel to grant protective assistance.
Throw Your merciful glance towards me
and may Your look destroy my sins.

May You, O Lord, protect one from ghosts, spirits and demons.
(Reference is made to the different kinds of devils and spirits
i.e. spirits that swallow infants, spirits and devils that follow maidens,
the guardians of cemetries and spirits of the forests, etc.).

At the mention of my name,
may these take to their heels with the speed of lightning.

(The following refers to charms, spells and the practice of black magic).
May those who indulge in these shudder at the mention of my name,
for I am Your devotee and servant,
and may they in humility bow before me,
for You are my Lord and protector.
May my love for You keep them in chains,
May they shiver in fear, roll in agony, scream in terror
and flee in utter fear of me.

Protect me, O Lord, from the attacks
of tigers, foxes, wolves, rats and bears.
May these flee in fear on sight of me.
May I be relieved from poisons
of centipedes, snakes and scorpions,
(if these deem to bite me).

May ailments such as sprains, strains, migraine, rheumatism,
disease due to excessive bile, fits, stomach ailments, lethargy,
skin disease, aches and pains, toothaches
and various other ailments of undefinable source,
cease by Your Grace.

Grant me, O Lord, good relationship with all the fourteen worlds.
May both men and women be pleased with me.
May the Ruling Sovereign be pleased with me,
I who adore Thy Great Name.

You who originated from the waters of Saravana,
O Lord of the Vel, who enshrined its brightness,
whose Holy Feet are adorned with the melodious 'Silambu' (anklets)
and who severs the cords, of Samsaric birth.
Nephew of Vishnu and Lakshmi,
who helped the Devas to protect the city of Amarapathi,
Lord Kantha, Lord Guha, O Lord of the Brilliant Vel.
You who was nurtured by the Karthigai maidens
and who wears the garland of the Kadamba flowers,
Lord, who with Your sweet Vel destroyed Idumban.
O Lord of Thiruthani, Son of Siva,
O Lord of Kathirgamam, weilder of the Brilliant Vel.

O youthful Lord who abodes in Palani.
O Lord of Thiruvavinangkudi, Dweller of the Lovely Vel.
O Lord of Thiruchendur, who is adored as Sengalvaraya,
O Lord of Samarapuri, also known as Shanmuga.

For as long as the beautiful Saraswathi,
who has dark tresses, guards my tongue,
I shall sing thy Name, O Lord and Father,
I sang and danced, I danced and I sang in ecstasy.
I searched and longed for You from Thiruvavinankudi,
that I might, with Love, use this vibuthi which is your Prasadam.
That I might, with Your Grace, break off from the bonds of Maya
and attachment and attain to Thy Lotus Feet.
Bless me O Lord Velayuthan, with Love,
that I might be showered with plenty and live graciously.
Hallowed be the Rider of the Peacock!
Hallowed be the sharp Vel in His hands!
Hallowed be He who dwells in hilly abodes!
Hallowed be He with Valli!
Hallowed be He who has the cockerel as emblem on His flag!
Hallowed be He and may my poverty cease.

O Lord, whatever my shortcomings or failures,
You as my Father and Guru, forgive me for them and bear with me.
Valli is but Mother, thus as parents, look upon me
as Your child, be pleased with me and shower me
with Your Love and Blessings.

He who meditates on this Kavasam daily,
Both morning and evening, after cleansing,
who meditates with concentration and devotion on the Kavasam and its meaning,
reciting thirty-six times daily and who uses the vibuthi of the Lord,
will attain therein these benefits:
The Devas of all eight directions will bless him.
Enemies too will bow to him.
The Nine Planets will be pleased and will confer blessings.
He will be blessed with the sixteen 'wealths' at all times.

This Kandha Shashti Kavasam
which is equivalent to Lord Murugan's Vel,
even if recited and used as a path,
will confer great spiritual blessings on the aspirant
- Truth, Knowledge and Bliss will shine.
Devils would not dare approach these devotees of the Lord,
the evil will meet its due, while in the hearts of the good,
the Feet of Murugan shall ever dance ...

You who have understood my heart, of all the Lakshmis,
You have given new vigour to Veera Lakshmi.
With the hands that killed Soorapadman,
You have graced the twenty-seven Devas by granting them
the gift of Divine Honey (Elixer).

You Lord, have the ability to grant Moksha (Liberation from rebirth)
and who as Guru Paran gave upadesha to Lord Swami (Lord Siva) Himself.
You, who resides in the Temple of Palani Hills as a child,
at Your Little Holy Feet I prostrate.

O Lord of the Vel, You who have stopped and enslaved me;
whose loving form has entered my heart and blessed me,
Praise be to Thee!

O Lord General of the Devas, Praise be to Thee!
O Lord who captivated Valli, Praise be to Thee!
He whose form is strong and dazzling, Praise be to Thee!
He who conquered Idumba, Praise be to Thee!
He who wears the Kadamba flowers (Kadamban), Praise be to Thee!
He who is known as Kandha (Skanda), Praise be to Thee!
O Lord of the Vel, who is garlanded with Vedchi flowers, Praise be to Thee!
O Lord King of the Mountains, Praise be to Thee!
I surrender at the Lotus Feet of the Lord who rides the Peacock.
I surrender to Thee Lord Saravanabava (OM).
I surrender to The Lord Shanmuga.

...... end ......

[Courtesy: Kaumaram.com]