About Kartikeya
Raised by the six Krittikas (the Pleiades), he grew six faces to nurse from them all — hence Shanmukha, the six-faced one. He rides a peacock, carries the vel (spear) given to him by Parvati, and his banner bears a rooster. The Skanda Purana, the largest of the Puranas, is named after him.
His six sacred abodes in Tamil Nadu, the Arupadai Veedu, include Palani and Thiruchendur. Skanda Shashti, Thaipusam and Vaikasi Visakam are his main festivals, and he is worshipped widely in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.
Kartikeya mantra
Shadakshari mantra
ॐ शरवणभवाय नमः
oṁ śaravaṇabhavāya namaḥ
Om, salutations to the one born in the Sharavana reed-pond — Murugan's six-syllable mantra.
Prayers to Kartikeya 1
Chalisas, aartis, stotras and mantras for Kartikeya, each with the full text, transliteration and meaning.
Temples of Kartikeya
Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple दण्डायुधपाणि स्वामी मंदिर
Palani, Tamil Nadu · Murugan (Kartikeya)
One of the six Arupadai Veedu, the sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. The hilltop shrine holds Murugan as Dhandayuthapani, a renunciant holding a staff, and is famous for its panchamirtham prasadam and Thai Poosam pilgrimage.
Tiruchendur Murugan Temple तिरुचेंदूर मुरुगन मंदिर
Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu · Murugan (Kartikeya)
One of the six Arupadai Veedu of Lord Murugan and the only one on the seashore. Tradition says Murugan defeated the demon Surapadman here, an event re-enacted each year at the Soorasamharam on Skanda Shashti.
Kukke Subramanya Temple कुक्के सुब्रह्मण्य मंदिर
Subramanya, Karnataka · Subramanya (Kartikeya), lord of serpents
One of South India's most important shrines of Lord Subramanya, worshipped here as the protector of serpents. Pilgrims come from across India for rites to remove sarpa dosha, in a forest setting below Kumara Parvatha.
Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani सुब्रह्मण्य स्वामी मंदिर, तिरुत्तनी
Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu · Murugan (Subramaniya Swamy)
One of the six sacred abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Lord Murugan, on Thanigai hill. Tradition says Murugan came here to calm his anger after defeating Surapadman and married Valli here.
Marudhamalai Murugan Temple मरुदमलै मुरुगन मंदिर
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu · Murugan (Dandayudhapani)
A hill temple of Lord Murugan on the edge of the Western Ghats near Coimbatore, often called the seventh abode of Murugan, linked to the Siddhar saint Pambatti Siddhar.
Frequently asked questions
Are Kartikeya and Murugan the same?
Yes. Kartikeya and Skanda are his Sanskrit names, Subramanya is common in Karnataka and Andhra, and Murugan — 'the beautiful one' — is his Tamil name. Tamil tradition also tells of his own consorts, Valli and Deivanai.
What is Skanda Shashti?
A six-day festival ending on the Shashti tithi of the bright fortnight of Kartik (Aippasi–Karthigai in the Tamil calendar), celebrating Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman. Devotees fast for the six days.
What are the six abodes of Murugan?
The Arupadai Veedu are Thiruparankundram, Thiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudircholai — all in Tamil Nadu.