🦚 Mythology
Murugan (Kartikeya): Birth Story, Names, Six Abodes and Festivals
Murugan, known in the north as Kartikeya and Skanda, is the warrior son of Shiva and Parvati. Here is his birth story, his many names, the six sacred abodes and the festivals devotees keep.
Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, Skanda and Subrahmanya, is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander of the gods’ army. Born to defeat the demon Taraka, he carries the vel (spear), rides a peacock and has six faces. He is among the most loved deities of Tamil Nadu, where his six great temples draw millions every year.
Krishna himself names him in the Bhagavad Gita: “senānīnām aham skandaḥ” — “among commanders, I am Skanda” (Gita 10.24).
Murugan at a glance
| Parents | Shiva and Parvati |
| Brother | Ganesha; Ayyappa in devotional reckoning |
| Consorts | Devasena (Deivanai) and Valli |
| Weapon | Vel (spear) |
| Vehicle and banner | Peacock (mayil); rooster (seval) on his flag |
| Main texts | Skanda Purana, Kumarasambhava, Tirumurugarruppadai, Kanda Puranam |
| Mantra | Om Saravanabhavaya Namah |
| Festivals | Skanda Sashti, Thaipusam, Vaikasi Visakam, Panguni Uthiram |
Symbols of Murugan
| Symbol | Common meaning |
|---|---|
| Vel (spear) | Sharp, penetrating wisdom (jnana shakti) that destroys ignorance |
| Valli | Desire turned toward the divine (iccha shakti), often linked to the devotee’s love |
| Devasena | Right action (kriya shakti) and the order of the gods |
| Peacock | The ego, once proud, now tamed and carrying the Lord |
| Rooster | The call that awakens the soul at dawn |
| Six faces | Vision in every direction; also the six qualities of the divine |
The many names of Kartikeya
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kartikeya | Raised by the Krittikas, the six stars of the Pleiades |
| Skanda | “The leaping one” or “the spurt”, from the story of his birth |
| Shanmukha / Arumugam | Six-faced |
| Saravanabhava | Born in the Sharavana reed lake |
| Kumara | The eternal youth |
| Subrahmanya | Dear to the knowers of Brahman |
| Devasenapati | Commander of the gods’ army; also husband of Devasena |
| Murugan | Tamil: “the beautiful one”, eternally young |
| Swaminatha | Teacher of his own father |
The birth story of Kartikeya
The demon Tarakasura won a boon that he could be killed only by a son of Shiva. Since Shiva was absorbed in deep meditation after the death of Sati, Taraka believed himself safe and tormented the gods.
The gods arranged for Kama, the god of love, to break Shiva’s meditation so that he would marry Parvati. Shiva burned Kama to ashes with his third eye, but Parvati’s own austerities eventually won him. This story is the subject of Kalidasa’s poem Kumarasambhava, “the birth of Kumara”.
Shiva’s fiery seed was too powerful for anyone to hold. It was carried by Agni, the fire god, then by the river Ganga, who deposited it in a lake of reeds (sharavana). There six infants were born. The six Krittikas nursed them, and when Parvati embraced them they became one child with six faces and twelve arms. Versions differ between texts, but these elements are common to most.
The defeat of the demons
As commander of the gods, the young Kartikeya killed Tarakasura. In the Tamil Kanda Puranam, his great enemy is Surapadman. Armed with the vel given by Parvati, Murugan split the demon in two at Tiruchendur. Rather than destroy him entirely, he turned one half into his peacock vehicle and the other into the rooster on his banner. The battle is re-enacted each year on the last day of Skanda Sashti as Soorasamharam.
The fruit of wisdom and the meaning of Om
Two of the best-known Murugan stories are told to children across South India:
- The mango of wisdom. Sage Narada brought Shiva a single fruit of knowledge. Shiva and Parvati said it would go to whichever son first went around the world. Murugan set off on his peacock; Ganesha simply walked around his parents, saying they were his world, and won the fruit. Hurt, Murugan left for the hill of Palani, where he stands as a renunciate. Parvati consoled him: “Pazham nee” — “you yourself are the fruit”.
- Teaching his father. When Brahma could not explain the meaning of Om, the boy Murugan imprisoned him. Shiva asked his son to explain it, and Murugan taught him, with Shiva listening as a disciple. This happened at Swamimalai, where he is worshipped as Swaminatha. See the meaning of Om.
The six abodes (Arupadai Veedu)
| Abode | Location | Associated episode |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruparankundram | Near Madurai | Marriage to Devasena |
| Tiruchendur | Seashore, Thoothukudi district | Victory over Surapadman |
| Palani | Dindigul district | Renunciation after the fruit contest |
| Swamimalai | Near Kumbakonam | Teaching Om to Shiva |
| Thiruthani | Tiruvallur district | Marriage to Valli; resting after battle |
| Pazhamudircholai | Near Madurai | Test of the poetess Avvaiyar |
These shrines are celebrated in the Tirumurugarruppadai of Nakkirar, one of the earliest Tamil devotional poems. Major Murugan temples also stand in Sri Lanka (Kataragama), Malaysia (Batu Caves) and Singapore.
Festivals of Murugan
| Festival | When | How it is kept |
|---|---|---|
| Skanda Sashti | Six days after the new moon of Aippasi (October–November) | Fasting, Kanda Sashti Kavasam recitation, Soorasamharam on day six |
| Thaipusam | Full moon of Thai (January–February) | Pilgrimage, kavadi carrying, vows of thanks |
| Vaikasi Visakam | Vishakha star in Vaikasi (May–June) | Celebrated as Murugan’s birth |
| Panguni Uthiram | Uttara Phalguni star in Panguni (March–April) | Divine weddings, including Murugan’s |
| Monthly Sashti and Krittika | Every month | Fasting and temple visits |
The kavadi is a decorated arch carried on the shoulders by devotees fulfilling a vow, recalling the story of Idumban, who carried two hills to Palani on a pole.
How to worship Murugan at home
- Keep a picture of Murugan with the vel, or the vel alone, in a clean shrine.
- On Tuesdays, Sashti days or Krittika days, light a lamp and offer red flowers.
- Chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah 108 times.
- Recite or listen to the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, composed by Devaraya Swamigal.
- Offer fruit, milk or panchamritam, then share it as prasad.
For the wider family of Shiva, read stories of Lord Shiva, and for Murugan’s Kerala “brother”, see Lord Ayyappa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Murugan the same as Kartikeya?
Yes. Murugan is the Tamil name of the god known in Sanskrit as Kartikeya, Skanda, Kumara and Subrahmanya. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander of the gods' army. In Tamil Nadu he is among the most popular deities; in north India he is worshipped less widely.
Who are Murugan's wives?
In South Indian tradition Murugan has two consorts: Devasena (Deivanai), the daughter of Indra, and Valli, the daughter of a tribal chief, whom he wooed in the hills. They are often shown on either side of him. In some north Indian traditions Kartikeya is regarded as celibate.
Why does Kartikeya have six heads?
According to the Puranas, Kartikeya was born as six infants in the Sharavana reed lake and nursed by the six Krittika stars (the Pleiades). Parvati embraced them and they became one child with six faces, which is why he is called Shanmukha and Kartikeya.
What is the vel of Murugan?
The vel is the divine spear that Parvati gave Murugan to defeat the demon Surapadman. It symbolises sharp, penetrating wisdom that destroys ignorance, and it is worshipped on its own in many temples. The chant 'Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara' honours it.
What are the six abodes of Murugan?
The Arupadai Veedu are Thiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudircholai, all in Tamil Nadu. Each is linked to an episode in his life, such as his victory over Surapadman at Tiruchendur and his teaching of the meaning of Om to Shiva at Swamimalai.
Which mantra is chanted to Murugan?
The six-syllable mantra 'Om Saravanabhavaya Namah' is the most widely chanted. Devotees also recite the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, especially during the six days of Skanda Sashti.