Kartikeya
Kartikeya (Tamil: முருகன்), also known as Murugan or Kandhan is the Tamil god of war and victory. Kartikeya is the main god worshipped in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia and many other places of the world where Tamils live. Kartikeya has six shrines in Tamil Nadu, which are known as Arupadaiveedu. In Tamil Nadu, Kartikeya has continued to be popular with all classes of society since the Sangam age.
| Kartikeya | |
|---|---|
God of War and Victory Commander of the Gods | |
| Other names | Kumaran, Murugan, Kandan, Velavan, Velloreavan, Saravanan, Shadanana, Devasenapati, Shanmukan, Subramanya |
| Mantra | Oṃ Saravaṇa Bhava Om Saravaṇa Bhavāya Namaḥ [1] |
| Animals | Peacock, rooster, snake[2] |
| Day | Tuesday |
| Mount | Peacock |
| Gender | Male |
| Festivals | Kanda Sashti or Shashthi and Thaipusam |
Kartikeya is considered the son of Shiva and Parvathi, who was created to kill the Asuras and be the eternal protector of the Devas and other living beings. The Asuras were demigods who frequently warred against the Devas or gods. The six sites (padaiveedu) in Tamil Nadu where Kartikeya sojourned while leading his armies are Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruparamkundram, Pazhamudirsolai, Thiruthani and Thiruchendur, the Arupadaiveedu.
Kartikeya is considered 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 different reason to worship Lord Murugan.
Thai Poosam during January – February month is celebrated as a 6-day festival. On Thai Poosam day, Kavadis and Palkudams are taken by devotees in procession around Chhedanagar. Special Abhishekams are performed to the Moolavar and Utsavar. Annadhanam is provided to all devotees participating in the functions. In the night, Kartikeya is taken in procession accompanied by Nadaswaram, Veda Parayanam around Chhedanagar.
Vaikasi Visakam day, (during May –June month), Kavadis and Palkudams are taken by devotees in procession around Chhedanagar.
Kanda Sashti during October-November month is celebrated as a 6-day festival. Devotees of Kartikeya will fast for 6 days. On the evening of the 6th day, Soorasamharam (correcting sooran) will be held at every Kartikeya temple around the world. Soorasamharam (correcting sooran) at Thiruchendur is every special.
Kartikeya Media
Sculpture of the god Skanda, from Kannauj, North India, circa 8th century.
Kartikeya with a Kushan devotee, 2nd century CE.
Skanda Bodhisattva is the Dharma protector in Mahayana Buddhism. Above: Skanda's statue in Anhui province, China.
Hindu deity Karttikeya or Murugan with his consorts on his Vahana peacock.
Skanda statues are found in Southeast Asia. Above: 6th–8th century Skanda from Prey Veng Province, Cambodia.
Basalt Murugan seated on a peacock from 12th-century Andhra Pradesh.
Murugan with Valli (on left of image) and Devayanai (on right of image).
Rajagopuram of Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, Tamil Nadu
Worship of Kartikeya in West Bengal, with toys (right side of image)
References
- ↑ "Lord Kartikeya, Birth of Lord Kartikeya, , Lord Murugan, Story of Lord Kartikeya – Rudraksha Ratna". Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ↑ https://www.deccanherald.com/content/373661/land-snake-god.html#main-content Archived 25 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Mann 2011, pp. 101-103.
