Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, is a prominent deity in Hindu mythology, associated with war, victory, wisdom, and love. According to Hindu scriptures, Kartikeya is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. His birth is linked to two primary legends.
In one version, Kartikeya was born to defeat the demon Tarakasura. The gods, unable to overcome Tarakasura, sought Lord Shiva’s help. A prophecy stated that only a child born of Shiva and Parvati could vanquish the demon.
The gods channeled their energy into a sacred fire, from which Kartikeya emerged. He was subsequently raised by the six Krittika sisters, hence his name Kartikeya, meaning “son of the Krittikas.”
An alternative legend describes Kartikeya’s birth as a means to defeat the demon Surapadman. This demon had gained immense power through severe penance and was causing universal chaos.
To counter this threat, Shiva and Parvati created Kartikeya, who grew to become a formidable warrior. He led the celestial army against Surapadman and ultimately defeated him, restoring peace to the world. These mythological accounts emphasize Kartikeya’s divine origin and his role as a powerful deity who brings victory and protection to his devotees.
The Significance of Kartikeya and Murugan in Hindu Mythology
The God of War and Multifaceted Deity
As the god of war, Kartikeya is often depicted as a fierce warrior riding a peacock and wielding a spear or a vel (divine lance). He is also associated with wisdom, knowledge, and love, making him a multifaceted deity who embodies both strength and compassion.
Symbolism and Significance
Kartikeya is also known as Skanda, meaning “spurt of semen,” which symbolizes his creation from the combined energy of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This symbolism represents the union of masculine and feminine energies, highlighting Kartikeya’s role as a unifying force in Hindu mythology.
Maternal Love and Victory over Evil
Additionally, Kartikeya is often depicted with six heads, representing the six Krittika sisters who raised him, further emphasizing his connection to maternal love and nurturing. In Hindu mythology, Kartikeya is also celebrated for his role in vanquishing demons and restoring balance to the universe. His victory over evil forces symbolizes the triumph of righteousness over wickedness, making him a symbol of hope and courage for his devotees.
Upholding Moral Values and Protection
Overall, Kartikeya and Murugan are revered for their diverse attributes and their significance in upholding moral values and protecting the world from malevolent forces.
The Symbolism and Attributes of Kartikeya and Murugan
Kartikeya and Murugan are rich in symbolism and possess various attributes that hold deep significance in Hindu mythology. One of the most prominent symbols associated with Kartikeya is the peacock, which serves as his vahana (vehicle). The peacock symbolizes beauty, grace, and immortality, reflecting Kartikeya’s divine nature as a powerful and majestic deity.
Additionally, Kartikeya is often depicted holding a vel (divine lance) in his hand, which represents his ability to dispel ignorance and destroy evil forces. Another important symbol associated with Kartikeya is the rooster, which is believed to be his emblem. The rooster symbolizes victory, courage, and protection, reflecting Kartikeya’s role as a warrior deity who brings triumph and security to his devotees.
Furthermore, Kartikeya’s six heads are symbolic of his connection to the six Krittika sisters who nurtured him, highlighting his association with maternal love and care. In South India, Murugan is often depicted with a vel in one hand and a flag known as “Dhwaja” in the other. The Dhwaja represents righteousness and dharma (duty), signifying Murugan’s role as a guardian of moral values and ethical conduct.
Additionally, Murugan is often adorned with a garland of white jasmine flowers, which symbolizes purity, spirituality, and devotion. Overall, the symbolism and attributes associated with Kartikeya and Murugan reflect their multifaceted nature as deities who embody strength, wisdom, love, protection, and moral values.
The Worship and Festivals of Kartikeya and Murugan
The worship of Kartikeya and Murugan is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and is celebrated through various festivals and rituals. One of the most significant festivals dedicated to Kartikeya is Thaipusam, which is widely celebrated by Tamil Hindus around the world. Thaipusam is observed during the Tamil month of Thai (January/February) and commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (divine lance) to vanquish evil forces.
During Thaipusam, devotees engage in elaborate processions and perform various acts of devotion to express their reverence for Murugan. Many devotees carry kavadis (burdens) as acts of penance, which may include piercing their bodies with hooks or skewers as a demonstration of their faith and devotion to Murugan. The kavadis are often decorated with peacock feathers and other symbolic elements associated with Murugan.
Another important festival dedicated to Kartikeya is Skanda Sashti, which commemorates the victory of Murugan over the demon Surapadman. Skanda Sashti is observed during the Tamil month of Aippasi (October/November) and is marked by special prayers, processions, and recitations of hymns dedicated to Murugan. Devotees also observe fasts during Skanda Sashti as a form of penance and seek blessings from Murugan for protection and guidance.
In addition to these festivals, there are numerous temples dedicated to Kartikeya and Murugan where devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and seek blessings for various aspects of their lives. The worship of Kartikeya and Murugan is an integral part of Hindu tradition and continues to be cherished by millions of devotees around the world.
Kartikeya and Murugan in Contemporary Culture
Kartikeya and Murugan continue to hold a prominent place in contemporary culture, not only within Hinduism but also in various art forms, literature, music, and popular culture. Their stories have been retold in modern adaptations, including books, films, television shows, and other media platforms. Their iconic imagery has also been incorporated into various art forms such as paintings, sculptures, and digital art.
In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Murugan is revered as a cultural icon and plays a significant role in Tamil literature, poetry, music, and dance. Many classical Tamil literary works such as “Tirumurukarruppatai” celebrate the glory of Murugan and his divine attributes. His stories are also depicted in classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam through performances that showcase his valor and grace.
Furthermore, Kartikeya’s association with war and victory has made him an inspirational figure for martial artists and athletes who seek strength, courage, and success in their endeavors. His image is often invoked for motivation and determination in various competitive fields. In contemporary Hinduism, Kartikeya and Murugan continue to be revered through devotional practices such as bhajans (devotional songs), kirtans (musical recitations), and spiritual discourses that celebrate their divine qualities.
Their presence in contemporary culture serves as a reminder of their enduring influence on art, literature, spirituality, and everyday life.
The Temples and Pilgrimage Sites dedicated to Kartikeya and Murugan
Famous Temples in Tamil Nadu
One of the most famous temples dedicated to Murugan is the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani, Tamil Nadu. This temple is situated atop a hill and is accessed through a long flight of steps or by using a winch facility. The temple attracts millions of devotees each year who undertake the arduous climb as an act of devotion to seek blessings from Murugan.
Another renowned temple dedicated to Kartikeya is the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswami Temple in Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu. This temple is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and is associated with the legend of Murugan’s victory over Surapadman.
Festivals and Rituals
The temple hosts grand festivals during Skanda Sashti when devotees from far and wide gather to participate in special rituals and processions dedicated to Murugan. In addition to these temples, there are several other pilgrimage sites such as Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Pazhamudircholai, Thiruparankundram, where devotees can experience the divine presence of Kartikeya through sacred rituals, darshan (sacred viewing), and offerings.
Temples Outside India
Outside India, there are also temples dedicated to Kartikeya in countries with significant Hindu populations such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Indonesia, where devotees pay homage to Murugan through various religious practices.
The Devotional Practices and Mantras for Kartikeya and Murugan
Devotees of Kartikeya and Murugan engage in various devotional practices such as reciting mantras (sacred chants), performing puja (ritual worship), observing fasts, offering flowers, fruits, incense sticks, lighting lamps, singing bhajans (devotional songs), reading sacred texts such as Skanda Purana or Kanda Puranam that extol the glory of Murugan. One of the most popular mantras dedicated to Kartikeya is the “Om Saravanabhavaya Namaha,” which invokes his divine presence for protection from negative forces and for bestowing courage and wisdom upon the devotee. Another powerful mantra associated with Murugan is “Om Sharavana Bhava,” which is chanted for seeking his blessings for success in endeavors.
Devotees also observe fasts on Tuesdays or during Skanda Sashti as a form of penance to seek blessings from Murugan for overcoming obstacles in life. Fasting on these days is believed to purify the mind and body while strengthening one’s devotion to Kartikeya. In addition to these practices, many devotees undertake pilgrimages to temples dedicated to Kartikeya or participate in special rituals such as abhishekam (ritual bathing), kavadi attam (burden dance), or vel vel veeravel (ritual involving the vel) as acts of devotion to express their reverence for Murugan.
Overall, the devotional practices associated with Kartikeya and Murugan are deeply rooted in ancient traditions that continue to be cherished by millions of devotees who seek their divine blessings for protection, wisdom, success, and spiritual growth.
If you are interested in learning more about Hindu temples, you may want to check out this article on Ashtavinayak Ganpati Temples in Maharashtra. It provides a comprehensive guide to the eight temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha, which are considered to be very sacred in Hinduism. These temples are a popular pilgrimage destination for devotees seeking blessings from the elephant-headed deity.