Kartikeya

The epithet Kartikeya is linked to the circumstances surrounding the deity's birth.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}} According to the Skanda Purana, six divine sparks emerged from Shiva, forming six separate baby boys. These boys were raised by handmaidens known as the Krittikas. Later, Parvati fused them into one, creating the six-headed Kartikeya.{{sfn|Civaraman|2006|p=55}} Kartikeya means "of the Krittikas" in Sanskrit.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Apte|1988|p=146}} According to Hindu literature, he is known by 108 different names, though other names also exist in common usage.{{sfn|Kozlowski|Jackson|2013|p=140}} Most common amongst these include Skanda (from {{IAST|skand-}}, 'to leap or to attack'), Murugan ('handsome'), Kumara ('youthful'), Subrahmanya ('transparent'), Senthil ('victorious'), Vēlaṇ ('wielder of vel'), Swaminatha ('ruler of gods'), Saravaṇabhava ('born amongst the reeds'), Arumukha or Shanmukha ('six faced'), Dhanadapani ('wielder of mace') and Kandha ('cloud').{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Skanda|title=Skanda {{!}} Hindu deity|encyclopedia=Britannica|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203193129/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Skanda|archive-date=3 December 2018|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1, 22-25, 35-39, 49-58, 214-216}}{{sfn|Gopal|1990|p=80}}

On ancient coins featuring his images, his name appears inscribed as Kumara, Brahmanya, or Brahmanyadeva.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=104-106}} On some ancient Indo-Scythian coins, his name appears in Greek script as Skanda, Kumara, and Vishaka.{{sfn|Thomas|1877|p=60-62}}{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=123-124}}

Various Indian literary works recount different stories surrounding the birth of Kartikeya. In Valmiki's Ramayana (seventh to fourth century BCE), he is described as the child of deities Rudra and Parvati, with his birth aided by Agni and Ganga.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=51}} The Shalya Parva and the Anushasana Parva of the third-century BCE Hindu epic Mahabharata narrate the legend of Skanda, presenting him as the son of Maheshvara (Shiva) and Parvati: Shiva and Parvati were disturbed during sex, causing Shiva to inadvertently spill his semen. The semen was then incubated in the Ganges, preserved by the heat of the god Agni, and eventually born as baby Kartikeya.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-51, 54-55}}

According to Shiva Purana, asura Tarakasura performed tapas to propitiate the creator god Brahma. Brahma granted him two boons: one, that none shall be his equal in all of the three worlds, and two, that only a son of Shiva could slay him.{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=67}}{{sfn|Vanamali|2013|p=72}} As Shiva was a yogi and thus unlikely to bear children, Tarakasura was armed with near immortality. In his quest to rule the three worlds, he expelled the devas from Svarga. Indra, the king of devas, devised a scheme to disrupt Shiva’s meditation and beguile him with thoughts of love, so that he could sire an offspring and thusly end Tarakasura's immortality. Shiva was engaged in meditation, and hardly noticed the courtship of Parvati, the daughter of Himavan who sought him as her consort. Indra tasked god of love Kamadeva and his consort Rati to disturb Shiva. Shiva was furious with the act and burnt Kamadeva to ashes. But Shiva's attention then turned towards Parvati, who had performed tapas in order to win his affection, and married her, then conceiving Kartikeya.{{sfn|Vanamali|2013|p=72}}

File:Karttikeya, God of War, Seated on a Peacock.jpg

According to the seventeeth-century CE text Kanda Puranam (the Tamil rendition of the older Skanda Purana), the asura brothers Surapadma, Simhamukha and Tarakasura performed tapas to Shiva, who granted them with various weapons and a wish wherein they could only be killed by the son of Shiva, which offered them near-immortality. They subsequently oppressed other celestial beings including the devas, and started a reign of tyranny in the three worlds.{{sfn|Civaraman|2006|p=55}}{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=33}} When the devas pleaded to Shiva for his assistance, he manifested five additional heads on his body, and a divine spark emerged from each of them. Initially, the wind god Vayu carried the sparks, later handing them to the fire god Agni because of the unbearable heat. Agni deposited the sparks in the Ganges river. The water in the Ganges began to evaporate due to the intense heat of the sparks. Ganga took them to Saravana lake, where the sparks developed into six baby boys.{{sfn|Civaraman|2006|p=55}} The six boys were then raised by the Krittikas and they were later fused into one by Parvati. Thus, the six-headed Kartikeya was born, conceived to answer the devas' pleas for help and deliver them from the asuras.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=31}}

Kumarasambhava ({{Lit|Birth of Kumara}}) from the fifth-century CE narrates a similar story on his birth wherein Agni carries the semen of Shiva and deposits them in Bhagirathi River (headstream of Ganges). When the Krittikas bathe in the river, they are impregnated and give birth to Kartikeya.{{sfn|Kalidasa|1901|p=120-135}}

An alternate account of Kartikeya's parentage is narrated in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, where he is described as the son of Agni and Svaha. It is narrated that Agni goes to meet the wives of the Saptarshi (seven great sages) and, while none of the wives reciprocates Agni's feelings of love, Svaha is present and attracted to Agni. Svaha takes the form of six of the wives, one by one, and has sex with Agni six times. She is unable to take the form of Arundhati, Vasishtha's wife, because of Arundhati's extraordinary virtuous powers. Svaha deposits the semen of Agni into the reeds of Ganges river, where it develops and is born as the six-headed Skanda.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=51-52}}

File:Skanda, from Kannuaj.jpg, sculpture from Kannauj, 8th century CE]]

In Kanda Puranam, Kartikeya is portrayed as a child playing in the cosmos. In his childhood, he fiddles with the orbits of planets, stacks the mountains in Kailasha on top of Mount Meru and stops the flow of River Ganges, among other feats. He imprisons Brahma as he could not explain the meaning of Aum.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=31}} When Shiva asks for the meaning of the mantra, Kartikeya teaches it to his father.{{sfn|Vadivella Belle|2018|p=178}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=82}} According to the Mahabharata, the devas and gods gift him various objects and animals.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=55-56}}

As per Kanda Puranam, sage Narada once visited Shiva at Kailasha and presented him with a Gnana palam (fruit of knowledge).{{sfn|Athyal|2015|p=320}} This fruit is generally regarded as a mango.{{sfn|Collins|1991|p=141}} Shiva expressed his intention of dividing the fruit between his two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya, but Narada counseled that the fruit could not be divided. So, it was decided to award the fruit to whomsoever first circled the world thrice. Accepting the challenge, Kartikeya started his journey around the globe atop his peacock mount. However, Ganesha surmised that the world was no more than his parents Shiva and Shakti combined, circumambulated them, and won the fruit. When Kartikeya returned, he was furious to learn that his efforts had been in vain, and felt cheated. He discarded all his material belongings and left Kailasha to take up abode in the Palani Hills as a hermit.{{sfn|Bhoothalingam|2016|p=48-52}}{{sfn|Krishna|2017|p=185}} According to Fred Clothey, Kartikeya did this out of a felt need to mature from boyhood.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=86, 118}} According to Kamil Zvelebil, Kartikeya represents the actual fruit of wisdom for his devotees rather than any physical fruit such as a mango or a pomegranate.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|p=31}}

File:Muruga defeats Surapadman.jpg]]

Though Kartikeya had powers derived from Shiva, he was innocent and playful. Shiva granted him celestial weapons and the divine spear vel, an embodiment of the power of Shakti (Parvati). On obtaining the vel, Kartikeya was imparted with the knowledge of distinguishing between good and evil.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=32}} Texts Kanda Puranam and Kumarasambhavam recount a war fought by Kartikeya against the asuras. As Kartikeya was born to save the devas from the tyrnany of the asuras, he was appointed as the commander of the devas and engaged in conflict with the asuras.{{sfn|Kalidasa|1901|p=120-135}} Shiva granted him an army of 30,000 warriors to assist in the war against the oppressive asura brothers, whom Kartikeya was born to defeat.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=55}} Kartikeya was assisted by nine warriors, headed by Virabahu, who served as sub-commanders of his army. These nine men were borne by nine lesser clones of Shakti who appeared from her silambu (anklet).{{sfn|Vadivella Belle|2018|p=178}}

Kartikeya believed that asuras and devas were all descendants of Shiva and that if asuras were to correct their ways, the conflict could be avoided. He sent messengers to communicate as much and to give the asuras a fair warning, which they ignored.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=32}} Kartikeya killed Tarakasura and his lieutenant Krowchaka with his vel.{{sfn|Vadivella Belle|2018|p=178}} While Tarakasura was confused at facing Shiva's son, as he thought his war was not with Shiva, Kartikeya felt it necessary to vanquish him, as his vision was occluded by Maya.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=32}} Zvelebil interprets this episode as the coming of age of Kartikeya.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|p=18}}

Kartikeya killed the next brother Simhamukha and faced off with Surapadma in the final battle.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=33}} Surapadma took a large form with multiple heads, arms and legs trying to intimidate Kartikeya. When Kartikeya threw his vel, Surapadma escaped to the sea and took the form of a large mango tree, which spread across the three worlds. Kartikeya used his vel to split the tree in half, with each half transforming into a peacock and a rooster, respectively. After Surapadma was killed, Kartikeya took the peacock as his vahana and the rooster as his pennant.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=34}}

File:The Holy Family, Shiva, Parvati, with their sons Ganesha and Karttikeya, National Museum, New Delhi (cropped2).jpg and Parvati with their sons Ganesha and Kartikeya.]]

Indian religious literature describes Kartikeya and Ganesha as sons of Shiva and Parvati. Shavite puranas such as Ganesha Purana, Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana state that Ganesha is the elder of the two.{{cite book|title=Gaṇeśapurāṇa Krīḍākhaṇḍa|year=2008|isbn=978-3-447-05472-0|publisher=Harrassowitz|page=ix}}{{cite book|title=The Śiva-Purāṇa|isbn=978-9-390-06439-7|year=2022|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=42}} Mahabharata and the Puranas mention various other brothers and sisters of Skanda or Kartikeya.{{sfn|Chatterjee|1970|p=91}}

In the northern and eastern Indian traditions, Kartikeya is generally regarded as a celibate bachelor.{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} In Sanskrit literature, Kartikeya is married to Devasena ({{lit|Army of Devas}}; as her husband was 'Devasenapati' {{lit|Commander of army of Devas}}).{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=185-186}} Devasena is described as the daughter of Daksha in the Mahabharata, while Skanda Purana considers her as the daughter of Indra and his wife Shachi. In Tamil literature, he has two consorts: Devayanai (identified with Devasena) and Valli.{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} In Kanda Puranam, Devayanai ({{lit|Divine elephant}}; as she was brought up by Airavata, the elephant{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=251}}) is depicted as the daughter of Indra, who was given in marriage to Kartikeya for his help in saving the devas from the asuras. Kartikeya is also said to have married Valli, the daughter of a tribal chief.{{sfn|Narayan|2007|p=149}} In Tamil folklore, both Devasena and Valli were daughters of Vishnu in the previous birth.{{sfn|Pattanaik|2000|p=29}} When they reincarnated, Devasena was adopted as the daughter of Indra as a result of her penance and Valli was born on the Earth. However, both were destined to marry the son of Shiva.{{sfn|Handelman|2013|p=56}}

There are references in the ancient Vedas to "Skanda", which can be interpreted to refer to Kartikeya. For example, the term Kumara appears in hymn 5.2 of the Rig Veda.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-51}}{{refn|group=note|कुमारं माता युवतिः समुब्धं गुहा बिभर्ति न ददाति पित्रे । अनीकमस्य न मिनज्जनासः पुरः पश्यन्ति निहितमरतौ ॥१॥ कमेतं त्वं युवते कुमारं पेषी बिभर्षि महिषी जजान । पूर्वीर्हि गर्भः शरदो ववर्धापश्यं जातं यदसूत माता ॥२॥ हिरण्यदन्तं शुचिवर्णमारात्क्षेत्रादपश्यमायुधा मिमानम् । ददानो अस्मा अमृतं विपृक्वत्किं मामनिन्द्राः कृणवन्ननुक्थाः ॥३॥ क्षेत्रादपश्यं सनुतश्चरन्तं सुमद्यूथं न पुरु शोभमानम् । न ता अगृभ्रन्नजनिष्ट हि षः पलिक्नीरिद्युवतयो भवन्ति ॥४॥ (...) [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/ऋग्वेद:_सूक्तं_५.२ Hymn 5.2, Wikisource];
English: "The youthful Mother keeps the Boy in secret pressed to her close, nor yields him to the Father. But, when he lies upon the arm, the people see his unfading countenance before them. [5.2.1] What child is this thou carriest as handmaid, O Youthful One? The Consort-Queen hath bome him. The Babe unborn increased through many autumns. I saw him born what time his Mother bare him. [5.2.2] I saw him from afar gold-toothed, bright-coloured, hurling his weapons from his habitation, What time I gave him Amrta free from mixture. How can the Indraless, the hymnless harm me? [5.2.3] I saw him moving from the place he dwells in, even as with a herd, brilliantly shining. These seized him not: he had been born already. They who were grey with age again grow youthful. [5.2.4]
– Translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rig_Veda/Mandala_5/Hymn_2 Wikisource]}} The verses mention a brightly-colored boy hurling weapons, evoking motifs associated with Kartikeya such as his bright glowing skin and his possession of divine weapons including the vel.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=46-51}} These motifs are also found in other Vedic texts, such as in sections 6.1-3 of the Shatapatha Brahmana: while Kumara is one of the names used to mention Kartikeya, the mythology in the earlier Vedic texts is different. In these, Agni is described as Kumara, whose mother is Ushas (goddess Dawn) and whose father is Purusha.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=48-51}} Section 10.1 of the Taittiriya Aranyaka mentions Sanmukha (six faced one), while the Baudhayana Dharmasutra mentions a householder's rite of passage that involves prayers to Skanda (Kartikeya) and his brother Ganapati (Ganesha) together.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=50-51}} Chapter 7 of the Chandogya Upanishad (eighth to sixth century BCE) equates Sanat-Kumara (eternal son) and Skanda, as he teaches the sage Narada to discover his own Atman (soul, self) as a means to ultimate knowledge, true peace, and liberation.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-50}}{{sfn|Hume|1921|p=50}}{{refn|group=note|Verse 7.26.2 states Kumara is Skanda, but there are stylistic differences between this verse and the rest of the chapter. This may be because this verse was interpolated into the text at a later date.{{sfn|Hume|1921|p=283}}}} The earliest clear evidence of Kartikeya's importance emerges in the Hindu epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, where his story is recited.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49, 54-55}}

Mentions of Skanda are found in the works of Pāṇini (fifth century BCE), in Patanjali's Mahabhasya and Kautilya's Arthashastra (third to second century BCE).{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-53}} Kalidasa's epic poem Kumarasambhava from the fifth-century CE features the life and story of Kartikeya.{{sfn|Heifetz|1990|p=1}} Kartikeya forms the main theme of Skanda Purana, the largest Mahapurana, a genre of eighteen Hindu religious texts.{{sfn|Tagare|1996|p=ix}} The text contains over 81,000 verses, and is part of Shaivite literature.{{sfn|Bakker|2014|pp=4-6}} While the text is named after Skanda (Kartikeya), he does not feature either more or less prominently in the text than in other Shiva-related Puranas.{{sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=114, 229-238}} The text has been an important historical record and influence on the Hindu traditions related to war-god Skanda.{{sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=114, 229-238}}{{sfn|Kurukkal|1961|p=131}} The earliest text titled Skanda Purana likely existed by the sixth century CE, but the Skanda Purana that has survived into the modern era exists in many versions.{{sfn|Doniger|1993|pp=59-83}}{{sfn|Mann|2011|p=187}}{{sfn|Bakker|2014|pp=1-3}}

File:Penang_thaipusam_Silver_chariot.jpg.]]

Ancient Tamil text Tolkappiyam from the second century BCE mentions Ceyon ("the red one"), identified with Murugan, whose name is mentioned as Murukan ("the youth").{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjoRAAAAYAAJ&q=tolkappiyam+varuna|title=Journal of Tamil Studies, Volume 1|date=1969|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies|page=131|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060321/https://books.google.no/books?id=ZjoRAAAAYAAJ&q=tolkappiyam+varuna&dq=tolkappiyam+varuna&hl=no&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiloMXV6bnXAhXiDZoKHXyuDMAQ6AEILTAB|archive-date=13 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Extant Sangam literature works dated between the third century BCE and the fifth century CE glorify Murugan, "the red god seated on the blue peacock, who is ever young and resplendent," as "the favoured god of the Tamils."{{sfn|Sinha|1979|p=57}} Korravai is often identified as the mother of Murugan.{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Korravai|title=Korravai|access-date=7 November 2017|publisher=Britannica|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031924/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Korravai|url-status=live}} Tirumurukarruppatai, estimated to have been written in the second to fourth century CE, is an ancient Tamil epic dedicated to Murugan. He is called Murugu and described as a god of beauty and youth, with such exaltations as "his body glows like the sun rising from the emerald sea". It describes him with six faces—each with a function, and twelve arms, and tells of the temples dedicated to him in the hilly regions and of his victory over evil.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|pp=125-127}} The ancient Tamil lexicon Pinkalandai identifies the name Vel with the slayer of Tarakasura.{{refn|group=note|As per Pinkalandai, Vel means either the slayer of Tarakasura, the Chalukya kings or the god of love. The Chalukya kings were called as "Velpularasar" in the Tamil lexicons meaning rulers of Vel country.{{sfn|Kumar|2008|p=179}}{{sfn|Pillai|2004|p=17}}}} Paripatal, a Sangam literary work from the third century CE, refers to Kartikeya as Sevvel ("red spear") and as Neduvel ("great spear").{{sfn|Balasubrahmanyam|1966|p=8}}{{sfn|Subramanian|1978|p=161}}

{{See also|Skanda (Buddhism)}}

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Mahaparinirvana Sutra mentions Kumara as one of the eighty gods worshipped by the common people. The Arya Kanikrodhavajrakumarabodhisattava Sadhanavidhi Sutra (T 1796) features a section for the recitation of a mantra dedicated to the deity, where he is also paired with Isvara. Yi Xing's Commentary of the Mahavairocana Tantra clarifies that Kumara is the son of Isvara.{{cite web|last1=Chia|first1=Siang Kim|title=Kumāra|url=http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?q=%E9%B3%A9%E6%91%A9%E7%BE%85%E5%A4%A9|work=Digital Dictionary of Buddhism|access-date=5 November 2019|date=2016}} The sixteenth-century Siamese text Jinakalamali mentions him as a guardian god.{{sfn|Gombrich|Obeyesekere|1988|p=176-180}}

File:Murugan by Raja Ravi Varma.jpg (1848–1906)]]

Ancient Yaudheya and Kushan period coins dated to the first and second centuries CE show Kartikeya with either one or six heads, with one-headed depictions being more common.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=111-114}} Similarly, sculptures show him with either one or six heads, with the six head iconography dated to post-Gupta Empire era.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=113-114, 122-126}} Artwork found in Gandhara and Mathura dated to the Kushan period shows him with one head, dressed in a dhoti (a cloth wrapped at the waist, covering the legs) armour, wielding a spear in his right hand with a rooster on his left.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=122-126}}{{sfn|Srinivasan|2007|pp=333-335}} Artworks from Gandhara show him in Scythian dress, likely reflecting the local dress culture of the time, with a rooster-like bird that may draw from Parthian influence to symbolize Kartikeya's agility and maneuverability as a warrior god.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=124-126}} Kartikeya's iconography portrays him as a youthful god, dressed as a warrior with attributes of a hunter and a philosopher.{{sfn|Alphonse|1997|p=167}}

He wields a divine spear known as the vel, granted to him by Parvati. The vel signifies his power, or shakti, and symbolizes valor, bravery and righteousness.{{sfn|Kozlowski|Jackson|2013|p=140}}{{cite web |date=5 December 2005 |title=Vanquishing the demon |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/vanquishing-the-demon/article30197138.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126031810/https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/vanquishing-the-demon/article30197138.ece |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=1 November 2023 |newspaper=The Hindu}} He is sometimes depicted with other weapons, including a sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=123-126 with footnotes}}{{sfn|Srinivasan|2007|pp=333-336, 515-516}} His vahana or mount is depicted as a peacock, known as Paravani.{{cite web|url=https://disa.ukzn.ac.za/gandhi-luthuli-documentation-centre/vehicle-lord-murugan-rides-peacock-called-paravani|title=The Vehicle Lord Murugan rides is a peacock called Paravani|publisher=Gandhi Luthuli Documentation Center|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924172622/https://disa.ukzn.ac.za/gandhi-luthuli-documentation-centre/vehicle-lord-murugan-rides-peacock-called-paravani|url-status=live}} While he was depicted with an elephant mount in early iconography, his iconography of a six faced lord on a peacock mount became firmly enshrined after the sixth century CE, along with the progression of his role from that of a warrior to that of a philosopher-teacher, and his increasing prominence in the Shaivite cannon.{{sfn|Vadivella Belle|2018|p=194}} According to the Skanda Purana, when Kartikeya faced asura Surapadma, the latter turned into a mango tree, which was then split in half by Kartikeya using his vel. One half of the tree became his mount, the peacock, while the other half became the rooster entrenched on his flag.{{sfn|Kozlowski|Jackson|2013|p=140}}

{{Quote box

|border =2px

|align =right

|width =30%

|quote =Guha (Muruga)

You who has form and who is formless,

you who are both being and non-being,

who are the fragrance and the blossom,

who are the jewel and its lustre,

who are the seed of life and life itself,

who are the means and the existence itself,

who are the supreme guru, come

and bestow your grace, O Guha [Murugan]

|author =Kantaranuputi 51, Arunagirinathar
(Translator: Kamil Zvelebil)

|source = {{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|pp=243}}

|bgcolor =#FFE0BB

}}

Consistent elements of Kartikeya's narrative across the diverse corpus of legends relating to him include his birth by a surrogate in difficult circumstances, his upbringing by a host of mothers, and his later reunion with his biological family. According to Fred Clothey, Muruga thus symbolizes a union of polarities.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=3}} He is considered a uniter, championing the attributes of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism (which revere Shiva and Vishnu as their supreme deities, respectively).{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=3-4}} Kartikeya's theology is most developed in the Tamil texts and in the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} He is described as dheivam (abstract neuter divinity, nirguna brahman), as kadavul (divinity in nature, in everything), as Devan (masculine deity), and as iraivativam (concrete manifestation of the sacred, saguna brahman).{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=10-14}} According to Fred Clothey, as Murugan, he embodies the "cultural and religious whole that comprises South Indian Shaivism".{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=3}} He is a central philosopher and a key exponent of Shaiva Siddhanta theology, as well as the patron deity of the Tamil language.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/n416 450]}}{{sfn|Ramaswamy|2007|p=152-153}}

Originally, Murugan was not worshipped as a god, but rather as an exalted ancestor, heroic warrior and accomplished Siddhar born in the Kurinji landscape. In that role he was seen as a guardian who consistently defended the Tamils against foreign invasions with the stories of his astonishing and miraculous deeds increasing his stature in the community, who began to view him as god.{{cite book|title=Modern Sannyasins, Parallel Society and Hindu Replications: A Study of the Protestant Contribution to Tamil Culture in Nineteenth Century Sri Lanka against a Historical Background|last=Hoole R.|first=Charles|publisher=McMaster University|year=1993|pages=96|url=https://macsphere.mcmaster.ca/bitstream/11375/13675/1/fulltext.pdf|access-date=13 June 2024|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811205457/https://macsphere.mcmaster.ca/bitstream/11375/13675/1/fulltext.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Chandran|first=Subramaniam|date=3 May 2016|title=Devotion as Social Identity: The Story of the Tamil Deity|ssrn=2773448|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2773448|access-date=16 September 2023|archive-date=18 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018182254/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2773448|url-status=live}} Many of the major events in the narrative of Murugan's life take place during his youth, which encouraged the worship of Murugan as a child-god.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=51}}

{{Multiple images

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|image1 =Kumara, The Divine General LACMA M.85.279.3.jpg

|caption1 =Kartikeya from Kushan era, second century CE

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|caption2 =Coins of the Yaudheyas featuring Kartikeya

}}

According to Raman Varadara, Murugan, originally regarded as a Tamil deity, underwent a process of adoption and incorporation into the pantheon of North Indian deities.{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} In contrast, G. S. Ghurye states that according to the archeological and epigraphical evidence, the contemporary deity worshipped as Murugan, Subrahmanya and Kartikeya is a composite of two influences: Skanda from the south, and Mahasena from the north. He as the warrior-philosopher god was the patron deity for many ancient northern and western Hindu kingdoms, and of the Gupta Empire, according to Ghurye. After the seventh century, Skanda's importance diminished while his brother Ganesha's importance rose in the west and north, while in the south the legends of Murugan continued to grow.{{sfn|Ghurye|1977|p=152-167}}{{sfn|Pillai|1997|p=159-160}} According to Norman Cutler, Kartikeya-Murugan-Skanda of South and North India coalesced over time, but some aspects of the South Indian iconography and mythology for Murugan have remained unique to Tamil Nadu.{{sfn|Cutler|2008|p=146}}

According to Fred Clothey, the evidence suggests that mythology relating to Kartikeya became widespread in North India sometime around 200 BCE or later.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=45-46}} In addition to textual evidence, his importance is affirmed by the archeological, epigraphic, and numismatic record of this period. For example, he is found in numismatic evidence linked to the Yaudheyas, a confederation of warriors in North India who are mentioned by the ancient Sanskrit grammarian Pāṇini.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-105 with footnotes}} During the Kushan era, that included rule over the northwest Indian subcontinent, more coins featuring Kartikeya were minted.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-105 with footnotes}} He is also found on ancient Indo-Scythian coins, where his various names are minted in Greek script.{{sfn|Thomas|1877|p=60-62}}{{refn|group=note|Richard Mann states that Skanda-Kumara may be composite deity linked to Greek deities pair called Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), given the numismatic overlap in their iconography and similar warrior-god mythologies.{{sfn|Fleming|Mann|2014|p=234–246}}}}

Skanda was regarded as a philosopher in his role as Subramanhya, while Murugan was similarly regarded as the teacher of Tamil literature and poetry. In the late Chola period from the sixth to thirteenth centuries CE, Murugan was firmly established in the role of a teacher and philosopher, while his militaristic depictions waned. Despite the changes, his portrayal was multi-faceted, with significant differences between Skanda and Murugan until the late Vijayanagara period, when he was accepted as a single deity with diverse facets.{{sfn|Vadivella Belle|2018|p=140}}

File:Skanda Bodhisattva.jpeg protector in Mahayana Buddhism{{sfn|Buswell|Lopez|2013|p=452}} Above: Skanda's statue in Anhui province, China]]

In Mahayana Buddhism, he is described as a manifestation of Mahābrahmārāja with five hair coils and a handsome face emanating purple-golden light that surpasses the light of the other devas. In Chinese Buddhism, Skanda (also sometimes known as Kumāra) is known as Weituo, a young heavenly general, the guardian deity of local monasteries and the protector of Buddhist dhamma.{{sfn|Mann|2011|p=32}}{{sfn|Howard|2006|p=373, 380–381}} According to Henrik Sorensen, this representation became common after the Tang period, and became well established in the late Song period.{{sfn|Sorensen|2011|p=124-125}} He is also regarded as one of the twenty-four celestial guardian deities, who are a grouping of originally Hindu and Taoist deities adopted into Chinese Buddhism as dharmapalas.{{sfn|Hodous|Soothill|2004|p=12, 23}} Skanda was also adopted by Korean Buddhism, and he appears in Korean Buddhist woodblock prints and paintings.{{sfn|Sorensen|2011|p=124-125}}

According to Richard Gombrich, Skanda has been an important deity in the Theravada Buddhist pantheon in countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Nikaya Samgraha describes Skanda Kumara as a guardian deity of the land, along with Upulvan (Vishnu), Saman and Vibhisana.{{sfn|Gombrich|Obeyesekere|1988|p=176-180}} In Sri Lanka, Skanda, as Kataragama deviyo, is a popular deity among both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists. While many Sri Lankan Buddhists regard him as a bodhisattva, he is also associated with sensuality and retribution. Anthropologist Gananath Obeyesekere has suggested that the deity's popularity among Buddhists is due to his purported power to grant emotional gratification, which is in stark contrast to the sensual restraint that characterizes Buddhist practice in Sri Lanka.{{sfn|Trainor|2001|p=123}}According to Asko Parpola, the Jain deity Naigamesa, who is also referred to as Hari-Naigamesin, is depicted in early Jain texts as riding the peacock and as the leader of the divine army, both characteristics of Kartikeya.{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}}

File:Kavadi_dancer_6039398.jpg procession]]

Kavadi Aattam is a ceremonial act of sacrifice and offering to Murugan practiced by his devotees.{{sfn|Kent|2005|p=170-174}} Its origin has been linked to a mythic anecdote about Idumban.{{sfn|Bhoothalingam|2016|p=18}} It symbolizes a form of debt bondage through the bearing of a physical burden called Kavadi ({{Lit|burden}}). The Kavadi is a physical burden which consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure in its simplest form, which is then balanced on the shoulders of the devotee. By bearing the Kavadi, the devotees processionally implore Murugan for assistance, usually as a means of balancing a spiritual debt or on behalf of a loved one who is in need of help or healing. Worshipers often carry pots of cow milk as an offering (pal kavadi). The most extreme and spectacular practice is the carrying of el kavadi, a portable altar up to {{convert|2|m}} tall and weighing up to {{cvt|30|kg}} decorated with peacock feathers, which is attached to the body of the devotee through multiple skewers and metal hooks pierced into the skin on the chest and back.{{sfn|Kent|2005|p=170-174}}{{sfn|Koh|Ho|2009|p=176}}{{sfn|Leong|1992|p=10}}{{sfn|Hume|2020|p=89}}

Once all sages and gods assembled in Kailasha, the abode of Shiva, which resulted in the tilting of Earth due to an increase in weight on the hemisphere where the gathered stood. Shiva asked sage Agasthya to move towards the south to restore the balance. Agasthya employed an asura named Idumban to carry two hills called Sivagiri and Sakthigiri (Mountains of Shiva and Shakti) on his shoulders to be placed in the south, to balance the weight. Idumban carried the hills and set southward, stopping en-route to place them down for a while and rest. When he tried to lift them again, he was unable to move one of the hills. He found a youth standing atop the hill and fought with him, only to be defeated. Agasthya identified the youth as Kartikeya, and the two discussed the dispute. The hill was left to remain at its resting location, which later became Palani. Kartikeya later resurrected Idumban as his devotee. The mythology behind Idumban carrying the hills on the shoulder may have influenced the practice of Kavadi.{{sfn|Bhoothalingam|2016|p=18}}

File:A day of devotion – Thaipusam in Singapore (4316108409).jpg]]

Worshipers also practice a form of mortification of the flesh by flagellation and by piercing their skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers.{{sfn|Javier|2014|p=387}} These practices are suppressed in India, where public self-mutilation is prohibited by law.{{cite journal|title=Practical implications of Mental Healthcare Act 2017: Suicide and suicide attempt|first1=Laxmi Naresh|last1=Vadlamani|first2=Mahesh|last2=Gowda|journal=Indian Journal of Psychiatry|date=2019|volume=61|issue=Suppl 4|pages=S750–S755|publisher=National library of medicine, United States|doi=10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_116_19|doi-access=free|pmid=31040468|pmc=6482674 }}{{sfn|Roy|2005|p=462}} Vibuthi, a type of sacred ash, is spread across the body, including the piercing sites. Drumming and chanting of verses help the devotees to enter a state of trance.{{sfn|Javier|2014|p=387}} Devotees usually prepare for the rituals by keeping clean, doing regular prayers, following a vegetarian diet, and fasting while remaining celibate.{{sfn|Williams|2016|p=334}} They make pilgrimage to the temples of Kartikeya on bare feet and dance along the route while bearing these burdens.{{sfn|Abram|2003|p=517}}

Tonsuring is performed by devotees as the ritual fulfillment of a vow to discard their hair in imitation of the form that Kartikeya assumed in childhood.{{cite web|url=https://www.robputseys.be/portfolio/tonsure-ritual-in-hinduism/|title=Tonsure ritual in Hinduism|work=Rob Putsey|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=30 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930140457/https://www.robputseys.be/portfolio/tonsure-ritual-in-hinduism/|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|title=Pilgrimage Centers in the Tamil Cultus of Murukan|jstor=1461919|last=Clothey|first=Fred W.|year=1972|page=82|publisher=Oxford University Press|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion|volume=40|issue=1}} Newborns may undergo a ritual of tonsuring and ear piercing at temples dedicated to Kartikeya.{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/traditions/tonsuring-and-ear-piercing.php|title=Tonsuring and ear piercing|work=Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=26 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726213408/https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/traditions/tonsuring-and-ear-piercing.php|url-status=live}} Panchamritam ({{Lit|mixture of five}}) is a sacred sweet mixture made of banana, honey, ghee, jaggery and cardamom along with date fruits and Sugar candies, which is offered to Kartikeya. It is believed to have been prepared before by Ganesha to soothe his brother Kartikeya after their battle for the divine fruit of knowledge. The practice is followed in modern times in temples where the devotees are provided the mixture as a prasad.{{sfn|Bhoothalingam|2016|p=18}}

Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara (meaning 'victory for vel wielding Murugan') is a Tamil mantra commonly chanted by devotees while worshiping Kartikeya.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/hundreds-of-devotees-go-on-padayatra-to-palani-hill-temple-for-thai-poosam/article67762269.ece|title=Hundreds of devotees go on padayatra to Palani hill temple for Thai Poosam|newspaper=The Hindu|date=21 January 2024|access-date=1 June 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/tamilnadu/kanda-sashti-arogara-for-vetrivel-murugan-surasamaharam-without-devotees-in-thiruchendur--r2bdz1|title=Arogara for Vetrivel Murugan|lang=ta|work=Asianet News|date=9 November 2021|access-date=1 June 2024}} Om Saravana Bhava is a common chant used by the devotees to invoke Kartikeya.{{cite web|url=https://english.jagran.com/spiritual/skanda-shashti-august-2024-10-powerful-lord-murugan-mantras-to-chant-for-success-and-prosperity-10179493|title=Ten powerful Murugan mantras|date=9 August 2024|access-date=1 November 2024|work=Jagran Prakashan}} Tiruppukal (meaning 'holy praise' or 'divine glory') is a fifteenth century anthology of Tamil religious songs composed by Arunagirinathar in veneration of Murugan.{{cite book|last1=Bergunder|first1=Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OcEM2IsnA1AC&pg=PA107|title=Ritual, Caste, and Religion in Colonial South India|last2=Frese|first2=Heiko|last3=Schröder|first3=Ulrike|date=2011|publisher=Primus Books|isbn=978-9-380-60721-4|page=107}}{{cite book|last=Raman|first=Srilata|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ocx0EAAAQBAJ&dq=Tiruppuka%E1%B8%BB&pg=PT30|title=The Transformation of Tamil Religion: Ramalinga Swamigal (1823–1874) and Modern Dravidian Sainthood|date=2022|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-74473-3|page=30}} Kanda Shasti Kavasam is a Tamil devotional song composed by Devaraya Swamigal in the ninteenth century CE.{{cite book|last=Alagesan|first=Serndanur Ramanathan|title=Skanda Shasti Kavacham|publisher=Nightingale|edition=4th|date=2013|page=136|isbn=978-9-380-54108-2}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vikatan.com/spiritual/temples/71000-the-story-of-shasti-kavasam---valayappettai-rkrishnan|title=Know the story of Kanda Shasti Kavasam|last=Krishnan|first=Valaiyappetai R.|date=31 October 2016|work=Vikatan|lang=ta|access-date=6 August 2020}}

File:Palani_Hill.JPG, one of the Six Abodes of Murugan]]

Murugan (Kartikeya), being known as the God of the Tamils, has many temples dedicated to him across Tamil Nadu. An old Tamil saying states that wherever there is a hill, there will be a temple dedicated to Murugan.{{cite web|url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/aanmiga-kalanjiyam/kundru-irukkum-idamellam-kumaran-iruppan-717624|title=Kundru Irukkum Idamellam Kumaran Iruppan|lang=ta|work=Maalai Malar|date=10 May 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=4 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604132334/https://www.maalaimalar.com/aanmiga-kalanjiyam/kundru-irukkum-idamellam-kumaran-iruppan-717624|url-status=live}} As he is venerated as the lord of Kurinji, which is a mountainous region, most of his temples are located on hillocks.{{sfn|Ramaswamy|2007|p=293}} Most renowned among them are the Six Abodes of Murugan, a set of six temples at Thiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani, and Pazhamudircholai which are mentioned in Sangam literature.{{sfn|Aiyar|1982|p=190}} Other major temples dedicated to Murugan are located at Kandakottam, Kumaran Kundram, Kumarakkottam, Manavalanallur, Marudamalai, Pachaimalai, Sikkal, Siruvapuri, Thiruporur, Vadapalani, Vallakottai, Vayalur, and Viralimalai.{{cite web|url=https://tapioca.co.in/famous-24-subramanya-swamymurugantemples-in-tamilnadu|title=Famous 24 Subramanya Swamy temples|work=Tapioca|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518043215/https://tapioca.co.in/famous-24-subramanya-swamymurugantemples-in-tamilnadu|url-status=live}}

Places of worship dedicated to Subramanya in Kerala include temples at Haripad, Neendoor, Kidangoor and Kodumbu.{{sfn|Mathew|2017|p=377}}{{cite web|title=Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//index.php/preview/festival_info?fest_id=813|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193434/https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//index.php/preview/festival_info?fest_id=813|archive-date=17 August 2018|access-date=17 August 2018|work=Kerala Tourism}} In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he is worshipped under the names Subrahmanya, Kumara Swamy, and Skanda, with major temples at Mopidevi,{{cite web|title=Sir Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple|url=http://www.mopidevitemple.org/#|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815170438/http://www.mopidevitemple.org/|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Mopi Devi Temple}} Biccavolu,{{cite web|title=Sri Subrahmanya Devalayam|url=https://srisubrahmanyadevalayam.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822154936/http://srisubrahmanyadevalayam.com/|archive-date=22 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018}} Skandagiri,{{cite web|title=Sri Subrahmanya Devalayam, Skandagiri|url=https://www.srisubrahmanyaswamydevalayamskandagiri.org/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806003509/http://srisubrahmanyaswamydevalayamskandagiri.org/|archive-date=6 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Sri Subrahmanya Devalayam}}{{cite web|title=Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Temple, Skandagiri, Secunderabad|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g679014-d2476339-Reviews-Sri_Subrahmanyaswamy_Temple_Skandagiri_Secunderabad-Secunderabad_Hyderabad_Distri.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164224/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g679014-d2476339-Reviews-Sri_Subrahmanyaswamy_Temple_Skandagiri_Secunderabad-Secunderabad_Hyderabad_Distri.html|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Trip Advisor}} Mallam,{{cite web|title=Mallamu Subramanyaswamy temple|url=https://www.prudwi.com/temples/andhrapradesh/mallamu-subramanya-swamy-temple/509|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815171327/https://www.prudwi.com/temples/andhrapradesh/mallamu-subramanya-swamy-temple/509|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|website=Prudwi}}{{cite web|title=Sri Subramanyeswara Swamy Temple, Mallam|url=http://1nellore.com/426/sri-subramanyeswara-swamy-temple-mallam/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164602/http://1nellore.com/426/sri-subramanyeswara-swamy-temple-mallam/|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|website=1nellore}} and Indrakeeladri, Vijayawada.{{cite web|title=Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Vijayawada, Indrakeeladri Hill Temple|url=https://www.vijayawadaonline.in/city-guide/sri-subramanya-swamy-temple-in-vijayawada|access-date=19 January 2022|work=Vijayawadaonline.in|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119055545/https://www.vijayawadaonline.in/city-guide/sri-subramanya-swamy-temple-in-vijayawada|url-status=live}} In Kukke Subramanya and Ghati Subramanya temples in Karnataka, he is worshipped as Subrahmanya and is regarded as the lord of the serpents.{{cite web|title=Kukke Subrahmanya Temple|url=http://www.mangalore.com/documents/subramanya.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428165151/http://www.mangalore.com/documents/subramanya.html|archive-date=28 April 2010|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Mangalore.com}}{{cite web|title=Kukke Subramanya Temple|url=https://www.kukke.org/en/home.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164346/https://www.kukke.org/en/home.aspx|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Kukke}} In West Bengal, Kartikeya is associated with childbirth and is worshipped in Kartik temples.{{sfn|Pattanaik|2014}} Temples also exist in the rest of India in Pehowa in Haryana, in Manali and Chamba in Himachal Pradesh and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand.{{cite web|title=Kartikeya Temple|url=http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/kartikeya-temple|work=Haryana Tourism|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164553/http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/kartikeya-temple|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Himalaya's hidden gem: Pilgrimage to Karthik Swami temple|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/himalaya-s-hidden-gem-pilgrimage-to-karthik-swami-temple/photo-CnFdW09ITDt3zKjIxgKnIM.html|access-date=23 August 2018|newspaper=The Hindustan Times|date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208112027/https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/himalaya-s-hidden-gem-pilgrimage-to-karthik-swami-temple/photo-CnFdW09ITDt3zKjIxgKnIM.html|archive-date=8 December 2018|url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://kulludussehra.hp.gov.in/devtas-of-manali/kartik-swami/|title=Kullu Dussehra|publisher=Government of Himachal Pradesh|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406164550/http://kulludussehra.hp.gov.in/devtas-of-manali/kartik-swami/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://bharmourview.com/bharmour/chaurasi-temple/kelang-or-kartikeya-temple|title=Kelang or Kartikeya Temple|work=Bharmour View|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024171617/https://bharmourview.com/bharmour/chaurasi-temple/kelang-or-kartikeya-temple|url-status=dead}}

File:Nallur Kandasamy front entrance.jpg at Jaffna is dedicated to Kartikeya]]

Kartikeya is worshipped as Kumar in Nepal.{{cite news|url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/newar-community-observes-sithi-nakha-festival-by-worshiping-water-sources/|title=Newar community observes Sithi Nakha festival by worshiping water sources|date=25 May 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Myrepublica|archive-date=9 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309214553/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/newar-community-observes-sithi-nakha-festival-by-worshiping-water-sources/|url-status=live}} In Sri Lanka, Murugan is predominantly worshipped by Tamil people as Murugan and by the Sinhalese as Kataragama deviyo, a guardian deity. Numerous Murugan temples exist throughout the island, including Kataragama temple, Nallur Kandaswamy temple and Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple.{{cite journal|last=Pathmanathan|first=S|author-link=S. Pathmanathan|date=September 1999|title=The guardian deities of Sri Lanka: Skanda-Murgan and Kataragama|url=http://kataragama.org/research/pathmanathan.htm|url-status=live|journal=The Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies|publisher=The institute of Asian studies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926205619/http://kataragama.org/research/pathmanathan.htm|archive-date=26 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}{{cite journal|last=Bechert|first=Heinz|author-link=Heinz Bechert|year=1970|title=Skandakumara and Kataragama: An Aspect of the Relation of Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka|url=http://kataragama.org/research/bechert.htm|url-status=live|journal=Proceedings of the Third International Tamil Conference Seminar|location=Paris|publisher=International Association of Tamil Research|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925212357/http://kataragama.org/research/bechert.htm|archive-date=25 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}

Murugan is revered in regions with significant population of Tamil people and people of Tamil origin, including those in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar, Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion, South Africa and Canada, Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname, countries with significant Indian migrants including the United States and Australia.{{sfn|Javier|2014|p=387}} Sri Subramanyar Temple at the Batu Caves in Malaysia is dedicated to Murugan, who is depicted in a 42.7-meter-high statue at the entrance, one of the largest Murugan statues in the world.{{cite news|last1=Star|first1=The|title=Tallest statue of deity unveiled|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/01/31/tallest-statue-of-deity-unveiled/|url-status=live|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200705/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/01/31/tallest-statue-of-deity-unveiled/|archive-date=15 August 2018}}{{cite encyclopedia|title=Batu Caves|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Batu-Caves|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815170927/https://www.britannica.com/place/Batu-Caves|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|encyclopedia=Britannica}} There are some other temples in Malaysia such as Balathandayuthapani Temple and Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Marathandavar Temple and Kandaswamy Kovil.{{cite web|title=Tour Information|url=http://www.ichss.org/tour.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027134159/http://www.ichss.org/tour.html|archive-date=27 October 2018|access-date=2 September 2018|work=ICHSS}}{{cite web|last1=A|first1=Jeyaraj|title=Hindu Temples In Ipoh|url=http://www.ipohecho.com.my/v4/article/2016/07/16/hindu-temples-in-ipoh|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220525/http://www.ipohecho.com.my/v4/article/2016/07/16/hindu-temples-in-ipoh|archive-date=2 September 2018|access-date=2 September 2018|work=Ipohecho|date=16 July 2016 }}{{cite web|title=Ipoh Kallumalai Murugan Temple, Ipoh|url=https://www.inspirock.com/malaysia/ipoh/ipoh-kallumalai-murugan-temple-a8364696527|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220538/https://www.inspirock.com/malaysia/ipoh/ipoh-kallumalai-murugan-temple-a8364696527|archive-date=2 September 2018|access-date=2 September 2018|work=Inspirock}}{{cite news|title=10,000 celebrate Masi Magam festival Sannayasi Andavar Temple in Cheng|work=The Star|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2008/03/31/10000-celebrate-masi-magam-festival-sannayasi-andavar-temple-in-cheng/|url-status=live|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902183850/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2008/03/31/10000-celebrate-masi-magam-festival-sannayasi-andavar-temple-in-cheng/|archive-date=2 September 2018}} Sri Thendayuthapani Temple is a major Hindu temple in Singapore.{{cite web|title=Home Page of Sri Thendayuthapani Temple|url=http://www.sttemple.com/sri-thendayuthapani-temple/about-st-temple.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706030159/http://www.sttemple.com/sri-thendayuthapani-temple/about-st-temple.html|archive-date=6 July 2015|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Sri Thendayuthapani Temple}} Murugan temples also exist in several western countries like United States of America,{{cite web|title=Shiva Murugan Temple|url=https://www.shivamurugantemple.org/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414232132/http://www.shivamurugantemple.org/|archive-date=14 April 2008|access-date=15 August 2018}}{{cite news|title=Hindu temple headed for banks of Deep River|newspaper=The Chatham News + Record|url=https://chathamnewsrecord.com/stories/hindu-temple-headed-for-banks-of-deep-river,1845?/|access-date=22 April 2019|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803174643/https://chathamnewsrecord.com/stories/hindu-temple-headed-for-banks-of-deep-river,1845?/|url-status=live}} Canada,{{cite web|title=Explanation of Deities|url=http://www.sivananda.org/temple/deities.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822204801/http://www.sivananda.org/temple/deities.php|archive-date=22 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|work=Sivananda.org}} United Kingdom,{{cite web|title=High Gate Hill Temple|url=https://www.highgatehillmurugan.org/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809065851/http://highgatehillmurugan.org/|archive-date=9 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=High Gate Hill Murugan}}{{cite web|title=The London Sri Murugan|url=http://www.londonsrimurugan.org/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809144124/http://londonsrimurugan.org/|archive-date=9 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=London Sri Murugan Temple}}{{cite web|title=Leicester Shri Murugan (Hindu) Temple|url=http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1141315|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194443/http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1141315|archive-date=16 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=Registered charities in England}}{{cite web|title=Sri Murugan Temple|url=http://www.goleicestershire.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=2532266|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817023039/http://www.goleicestershire.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=2532266|archive-date=17 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=Official visitor website for Leicestershire}}{{cite web|title=Lord Murugan Temple|url=https://www.skandavale.org/lord-murugan-temple/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194729/https://www.skandavale.org/lord-murugan-temple/|archive-date=16 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018}} Australia,{{cite web|title=Sydney Murugan Temple|url=http://www.sydneymurugan.org.au/murugan2/index.php/services/daily-opening-times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194442/http://www.sydneymurugan.org.au/murugan2/index.php/services/daily-opening-times|archive-date=16 August 2018|access-date=14 March 2025|work=Sydney Murugal Temple}}{{cite web|title=Perth Bala Murugan|url=http://www.perthmurugan.org.au/OurTimings.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194707/http://www.perthmurugan.org.au/OurTimings.aspx|archive-date=16 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=Perth Murugan Temple}}{{cite web|title=Kundrathu Kumaran Temple|url=http://www.kumarantemple.org.au/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816232007/http://www.kumarantemple.org.au/|archive-date=16 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=Kumaran Temple}} New Zealand,{{cite web|title=New Zealand Thirumurugan Temple|url=http://nzmurugan.org.nz/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815125050/http://nzmurugan.org.nz/|archive-date=15 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|work=New Zealand Murugan Temple}}{{sfn|Reeves|2014|p=173}} Germany{{cite web|title=Architectural History – Sri Mayurapathy Murugan Temple Berlin|url=http://en.mayurapathy-murugan-berlin.com/architectural-history/|access-date=9 August 2022|language=de|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809200203/http://en.mayurapathy-murugan-berlin.com/architectural-history/|url-status=live|work=Mayurapathy Murugan}}{{cite web|title=Unusual sightseeing in Berlin: a Hindu temple beside a highway|url=http://www.secretcitytravel.com/berlin-august-2014/unusual-sights-in-berlin-hindu-temple.shtml|access-date=9 August 2022|work=Secretcitytravel.com|archive-date=29 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129043637/http://www.secretcitytravel.com/berlin-august-2014/unusual-sights-in-berlin-hindu-temple.shtml|url-status=live}} and Switzerland.{{cite web|date=2 June 2009|title=Hinduismus : Religionen in der Schweiz / Religions en Suissse : Universität Luzern|url=http://www.religionenschweiz.ch/hinduismus.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215200913/http://religionenschweiz.ch/hinduismus.html|archive-date=15 February 2015|work=Religionenschweiz}}

File:Kartik Puja of West Bengal.jpg

A number of festivals relating to Kartikeya are observed:

• Thaipusam is celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai on the confluence of star Pusam.{{sfn|Roy|2005|p=462}} The festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Murugan over the asuras, and includes ritualistic practices of Kavadi Aattam.{{sfn|Javier|2014|p=387}}
• Panguni Uthiram occurs on the purnima (full moon day) of the month of Panguni, on the confluence of the star Uttiram.{{sfn|Ramaswamy|2007|p=131}} The festival marks the celebration of Murugan's marriage to Devasena.{{sfn|Pechilis|2013|p=155}}
• Karthika Deepam is a festival of lights celebrated on the purnima of the month of Kartika.{{sfn|Spagnoli|Samanna|1999|p=133}}
• Vaikasi Visakam celebrates the birthday of Murugan, and occurs during the confluence of star Visaka in the month of Vaikasi.{{cite news |title=Vaikasi Visakam 2023: Date, Time, Significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/vaikasi-visakam-2023-date-time-significance-and-how-it-is-celebrated/articleshow/100700169.cms |access-date=22 January 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=3 June 2023 |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213155012/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/vaikasi-visakam-2023-date-time-significance-and-how-it-is-celebrated/articleshow/100700169.cms |url-status=live }}
• Kanda Sashti falls variously on the months of Aippasi or Kartikai of the Tamil calendar, and commemorates the victory of Murugan over the demon Surapadma.{{cite web |date=27 December 2012 |title=The fall of demons |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/the-fall-of-demons/article4244670.ece |access-date=1 December 2023 |work=The Hindu |archive-date=3 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603104248/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/the-fall-of-demons/article4244670.ece |url-status=live }}
• In East India, Kartikeya is worshiped on the last day of the month of Kartik, when a clay model of the deity is kept for a newlywed couple (usually by their friends) before the door of their house. The deity is worshiped the next day in the evening and is offered toys. The deity is also worshiped during the Durga Puja festival, in which Kartikeya is represented as a young man riding a peacock and wielding a bow and arrows. He is stated to be Kumara, that is, a bachelor as he is unmarried.{{sfn|Pattanaik|2014}}
• In Nepal, Sithi Nakha (Kumar Shasthi) is celebrated on the sixth day of the waxing moon, according to the lunar calendar, in the lunar month of Jestha. The festival is celebrated by cleaning water sources and offering a feast.

{{reflist|group=note}}

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{{Refend}}

{{Refbegin|40em}}

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• {{cite book |first=Ganesh Vasudeo |last=Tagare |title=The Skanda-Purana |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=2007 }}
• {{cite book |last=Vettam |first=Mani |author-link=Vettam Mani |title=Puranic Encyclopedia |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-8-12080-597-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/n7/mode/2up |year=1975 }}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Murugan}}

• [http://murugan.org/research/shanmugampillai.htm Muruga in Sangam literature]

{{Shaivism|state=collapsed}}

{{Hindudharma}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Beauty gods

Category:Children of Shiva

Category:Hindu gods

Category:Kartikeya

Category:Kaumaram

Category:Knowledge gods

Category:Shaivism

Category:Sri Lankan deities

Category:Tamil deities

Category:Tutelary gods

Category:War gods