Karthikeya

Skanda/ Subramanya/ Swaminatha/Kumara/

Murugan
Family

Father: Shiva

Mother: Parvati

Brother: Ganesh

Wives: Devasena & Valli

Iconography

Karthikeya is commander-in-chief of army of gods.

Kartikeya iconography shows him as a youthful god,

dressed as a warrior, carrying the weapon called Vel. It is a
divine spear, often called shakti.

He is sometimes depicted with many weapons including: a

sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow although more
usually he is depicted wielding the spear.

His vahana (vehicle, mount) is a peacock.

He has either one head or six, depending on the region or

artist.
Festivals

Thaipusam ( Thai- month, Pusam- Star/ Nakshatra)

It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati presented a lance to Lord Murugan to defeat the demon army of
Tarakasura and combat their evil deeds. Therefore, Thaipusam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

Skanda Shashti

Skanda Sashti is a six-day South Indian festival to Skanda, the Lord of Religious Striving. It begins on the day after
the new moon in the month of Karttika (October/November) with chariot processions and pujas invoking His
protection and grace.
Six abodes-Aarupadai Veedu

● Thiruparankundram: Where Skanda married

Devayani/ Devasena
● Thiruchendur: Where he slayed the demon
Surapadman
● Palani: Where he decides to go for not winning
the contest against Ganesha ( leaves Kailasa)
● Swamimalai: The temple is considered as the
place where Muruga preached the meaning of the
Pranava Mantra to his father Shiva
● Thiruthani: Muruga is believed to have taken
rest atop the hill in order to calm himself down
after killing the demon king Surapadman at
Thiruchendur
● Pazhamudircholai: the Vel, which is the weapon
of Lord Muruga has been worshipped as the
presiding deity in the shrine