Shashthi Tithi - Significance, Vrat Vidhi & 2026 Dates
Quick Facts
- Tithi Number: 6th lunar day
- Paksha: shukla
- Deity: Kartikeya
- Color: Blue
- Mantra: Om Kartikeyaaya Namah
- Fasting: Many traditions recommend simple diet with prayer intervals and reduced sensory distractions.
What is Shashthi?
Shashthi is observed in both household and temple traditions. The tithi quality is interpreted with nakshatra, weekday, yoga, and karana before deciding vrat, travel, or auspicious ceremonies. In daily practice, tithi is interpreted with sunrise timing, regional observance rules, and nakshatra combination. This is why two nearby cities can observe the same vrat on adjacent Gregorian dates when tithi boundaries cross after local sunrise.
AstroTithi uses astronomical calculations to track live tithi transitions and help users plan fasting, puja, and major activities with location-specific precision.
Planning Shashthi Well
- Use Shashthi for on shashthi, prioritize structured planning, and align major decisions with city panchang windows.
- Avoid high-risk starts during Rahu Kaal and confirm final observance from the city panchang page.
- If the tithi spans sunrise boundaries, follow the local tradition you actually observe at home or temple.
Discipline and Devotional Anchors
- Primary deity focus: Kartikeya.
- Recommended devotional color: Blue.
- Simple mantra anchor: Om Kartikeyaaya Namah.
Significance of Shashthi Vrat
Shashthi is the 6th lunar day in the Hindu calendar and is traditionally associated with Kartikeya.
Shashthi Vrat Vidhi (How to Observe)
- Take sankalpa at sunrise with intent for discipline, seva, and spiritual clarity.
- Follow satvik meals or full or partial fasting as per health and family tradition.
- Perform deity mantra japa and simple puja in a clean, focused environment.
- Avoid major decisions in Rahu Kaal; use panchang and muhurat for critical starts.
- Complete parana or fast conclusion as per the next-day tithi rule when applicable.
Shashthi 2026 - Date Planning
Use the detailed year table for city-specific observance links.
Open complete Shashthi 2026 datesWhat Not To Do on Shashthi
- Avoid impulsive starts during inauspicious intervals.
- Skip heavy arguments and major conflict-prone meetings.
- Do not ignore local sunrise-based observance differences.
- Avoid ritual shortcuts when following formal vrat tradition.
- Do not rely on static date lists without city context.
Related Festivals on Similar Tithi Windows
FAQs
What is Shashthi tithi?
Shashthi is the 6th lunar day and is associated with Kartikeya.
How to observe Shashthi vrat?
Many traditions recommend simple diet with prayer intervals and reduced sensory distractions.
Which activities are good on Shashthi?
On Shashthi, prioritize structured planning, and align major decisions with city panchang windows.