Lord Kartikeya / Murugan कार्तिकेय

Kartikeya is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander of the divine army. In Tamil Nadu he is Murugan, in Karnataka Subramanya, and in many northern traditions Skanda or Kumara. The Puranas tell that he was born to defeat the demon Tarakasura, and he is usually shown holding the vel, a spear given by his mother, and riding a peacock. His consorts in the southern tradition are Valli and Devasena.

In Tamil devotion he is honoured at the six major shrines known as the Aru Padai Veedu: Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruchendur, Pazhamudircholai, Thiruparankundram and Thiruthani. Devotees traditionally observe fasts around Skanda Shashti, carry kavadi offerings during Thaipusam, and sing songs such as Vel Vel Muruga. The kavadi is a decorated frame carried on the shoulders as an act of vow and penance.

Worshippers seek courage, discipline and victory over inner pride as much as over outside obstacles. The mantra ॐ शरवणभवाय नमः is associated with his name Saravanabhava, referring to his birth among the reeds of a sacred lake.