Champa Sashti is a six day festival observed from Shukla Paksha Pratipada to Sashti in Margashirsha Month in Maharashtra. In 2025, Champa Sashti begins on November 21 and ends on November 26 with Sashti.
Champa Sashti marks the victory of Lord Khandoba over the demons called Mani and Malla.
The festival is celebrated with utmost gusto in Jejuri Khandoba Temple in Maharashtra.
Lord Khandoba is also popular with other names – Malhari Martand, Khanderaya, Khanderao and Mallu Khan. He is also worshipped as Martand Bhairav, an aspect of Lord Shiva.
Champa Sashti is also celebrated as Subramanya Sashti in other places of India.
It is celebrated with great devotion mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, especially at the Khandoba temple in Jejuri, Maharashtra, and in regions like Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Belagavi in Karnataka.
Significance and History
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The festival commemorates the victory of Lord Khandoba over two powerful demons, Malla and Mani, who had received a boon making them invincible and wreaked havoc across the earth and heavens. Lord Shiva took on the warrior form of Lord Khandoba and after a fierce six-day battle, defeated the demons on the Shashti tithi (sixth day) of the Margashirsha month.
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The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is a celebration of devotion, faith, and protection from evil forces. Lord Khandoba is revered as the protector of farmers, hunters, and warriors in these regions.
Rituals
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The six-day festival starts from Amavasya (new moon) leading up to the Shashti day.
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Devotees offer prayers, perform fasting, and present offerings such as turmeric powder, vegetables, fruits, apple leaves, and multigrain flour mixed with turmeric to Lord Khandoba.
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Nine oil lamps (diyas) are lit for relief from adverse planetary influences.
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Devotees chant specific mantras like “ॐ मार्तंडाय मल्लहारी नमो नमः” and offer special prayers to Khandoba.
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Rituals also sometimes include offering blue attire to Kartikeya in Shiva temples and donating brinjal and bajra to the poor as auspicious acts.
Regional Observances
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In Maharashtra, Jejuri holds a grand celebration with vibrant processions, bhajans, and kirtans.
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In Karnataka, especially in Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Belagavi, Lord Khandoba (called Mailaralinga) is worshipped as a family deity with some communities offering non-vegetarian food due to the warrior nature of the deity.
Champa Shashti is thus a deeply symbolic festival honoring Lord Shiva’s warrior incarnation, emphasizing themes of triumph over darkness and divine protection.