Kartikeya

Kartikeya
God of War and Victory Commander of the Gods
Kartikeya at Batu caves, Malaysia
Other names	Kumara, Murugan, Skanda, Velavan, Arumukha, Saravana, Shadanana, Shanmukha, Subrahmanya
Affiliation	Deva
Abode	Mount Kailash
Planet	Mangala
Mantra	Oṃ Saravaṇa Bhava Om Saravaṇa Bhavāya Namaḥ
Weapon	Vel, Bow and arrow
Animals	Indian Peacock, Cock, Snake
Day	Tuesday
Color	Red
Mount	Indian Peacock
Gender	Male
Festivals	Soorasamharam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thai Poosam
Personal information
Consort	Devasena and Valli
Parents	Shiva (father) Parvati (mother)
Siblings	Ganesha

Kartikeya (Tamil: கார்த்திகேயன்), also known as Murugan, Skanda is the Hindu god of war and victory. Kartikeya is the major god popularly worshipped in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia and many other places of the world, where many Tamils widespreadly live. Kartikeya has six shrines in Tamil Nadu, which are known as Arupadai Veedu. In Tamil Nadu, Kartikeya has continued to be popular with all classes of the Tamil society since the Sangam age.

Kartikeya is the son of Shiva and Parvati, who was born to kill the Asuras and be the eternal protector of the Devas and other living beings. The Asuras, who were demons who frequently warred against the Devas, who were gods. The six sites (Arupadai Veedu) in Tamil Nadu where Kartikeya sojourned while leading his armies and killing all the Asuras are Palani, Svamimalai, Thiruparamkundram, Pazhamudirsolai, Thiruthani, Thiruchendur, are the complete six Arupadai Veedu temples of Kartikeya.

Kartikeya is the god of Tamil language and he is mentioned a lot in Sangam literature. The six abodes of Kartikeya are all in Tamil Nadu. Each of these temples has a unique history and a different reason to worship Kartikeya.

Thai Poosam during January – February months and it is celebrated as a 6-day festival. On Thai Poosam day, Kavadis and Palkudams are taken by devotees in procession around Palani. Special Abhishekas are performed to the Mulavar and Utsavar. Annadhanam is provided to all devotees participating in the functions. In the night, Kartikeya is taken in procession accompanied by Nadasvaram, Veda Parayanam around Palani.

Vaikasi Visakam day, (during May – June month), Kavadis and Palkudams are taken by devotees in procession around Palani.

Soorasamharam is celebrated during October – November month is celebrated as a 6-day festival. The devotees of Kartikeya will fast for 6 days. On the evening of the 6th day, Soorasamharam (The Destruction of Sooran) will be held at every Kartikeya temple around the world. The Soorasamharam festival (The Destruction of Sooran) at Thiruchendur is very special as that mythological incident occurred there only.