Kartikeya Damanotsava (Skanda Damanak Sashti) is observed on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra Month. In 2026, Skanda Damanak Sashti date is March 24.
On this day, Lord Skanda (Kartikeya, Subramanya, Murugan / Shanmukha) is worshipped with Dhavanam leaves (botanical name: Artemisia pallens).
As Sashti is an auspicious day to perform Skanda Puja, Chaitra Shukla Sashti is highly meritorious vrat.
Damanak Sashti is also celebrated as Neel Sashti, Ashoka Sashti, Arka Shasti and Kumara Sashti.