Today is Subramanya Shashti or Margashira Shuddha Shashti ( Shasti is the 6th day of the 14 day phase of moon, shuddha shashti is the 6th day after every full moon day).
Every year a famous car festival is being held in Kukke Subramanya (pilgrimage in Karnataka) on ‘Margashira Shuddha Shashti’ with special poojas to the Lord Subramanya.
Story behind it is Kukke Subrahmanya is on the bank of river Dhara. According to Hindu Mythology Lord Kumaraswamy came to this place after killing the demon rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura and others in a war; and the Lord washed his Shakthi Ayudha (a battle-ax of the type of a bayonet) in this river.
From this onwards the river is famous as Kumaradhara. After battle with the demon, Lord Kumaraswamy came to the top of Kumaraparvatha along with his brothers Lord Ganesha, Veerabahu.. He was received by Lord Indra along with other Gods; pleased by the success of the war Indra prayed the Lord to be Kind enough to marry his daughter Devasena. This was agreed upon courteously and the marriage took place on the banks of Kumaradhara on ‘Margashira Shuddha Shashti’ (The shashti is on the first half of Margashira Masa.) Lord kumaraswamy also gave a darshan to Vasuki, the head of the Nagas, who was making a penance here. Vasuki prayed the Lord to stay along with him permanently in the place and the Lord blessed Vasuki with the boon.
From that time it a believed that the Lord has made his spiritual presence in this shrine along with his wife Devasena and Vasuki.
This Piece contributed by Sindhu-ji , Faculty at The Art of Living and follower of HH Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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