Skanda Shashthi

Yesterday the monastery observed the final day of Skanda Shashthi, a six-day festival honoring Lord Muruga's conquest of light over darkness. While invoking His protection and grace, the festival also honors His receiving the vel, His lance of spiritual illumination, jnana sakti, and culminates in a dramatic victory celebration of spiritual light over asuric darkness. The final abhishekam was pure and powerful, invoking the blessings of this great God of willpower, direct cognition and divine love.

Aum Saravanabhava.

Vetri Vel Muruga!

Lord Skanda is bathed in pranic essences. He absorbs them and radiates them back in the form of blessings.

The milk is always a wonderful sight

Then the yogurt

and honey

Many of those who had attended the Mahasamadhi celebrations stayed a few more days to attend Skanda Shashthi

Bodhinatha chants Sri Ruram with the monks

A traditional mixture of bananas, honey, milk, jaggery, and ghee

Fresh coconut water fills the air with its aroma

Chandana

Vibhuti

As the curtains close, those present sing many beautiful bhajans

Alankara dipam

Nakshatra dipam

The lights in the sanctum are turned off and it is lit only with traditional oil lamps

Final Arati

Sacraments are then passed out by the monks

Vel vel Muruga!

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