श्री कार्तिकेय
ॐ सरवणभवाय नमः · Vel Muruga!
The divine warrior, the second son of Shiva and Parvati, Kartikeya is the embodiment of perfection, a brave commander of celestial forces, created to destroy the forces of darkness and ignorance.
Kartikeya is the second son of Lord Shiva and Parvati Mata. He is an embodiment of perfection, a brave leader of the divine forces, a war god created to destroy the demons that represent the negative tendencies and vices within human beings.
He is also known as Shadanana, one with six heads, a profound symbol of his mastery over the five senses and the mind itself. Kartikeya is venerated across India as Murugan in the South (Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka), as Skanda in the North, and as Subrahmanya in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, beloved by hundreds of millions of devotees.
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महासेनाय धीमहि।
तन्नः षण्मुखः प्रचोदयात्॥
He rides a peacock, the symbol of beauty, grace, and the destruction of ego. His weapon is the Vel (divine spear), representing supreme knowledge that pierces through all ignorance. Where there is darkness, he brings light. Where there is weakness, he gives strength.
Kartikeya was created from the divine fire of Shiva's third eye, nurtured by the six Kritikas (the Pleiades stars), from whom he received his six heads. Each head received the milk of wisdom from a different Kritika.
When the demon Tarakasura could only be slain by the son of Shiva, Kartikeya was born specifically for this purpose. He became the Senapati, the Supreme Commander of the celestial army.
Armed with his divine Vel, Kartikeya slew Tarakasura and his brothers, restoring peace and order to all three worlds. This victory is celebrated as Skanda Shashti in South India.
His six faces represent mastery over the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) and the sixth, the mind itself. He is the perfected being who has conquered every dimension of human experience.
His mount, beauty, grace, and the destruction of the ego and all vanity
His divine spear, the weapon of wisdom that destroys ignorance and evil
Mastery over five senses and the mind, the perfected six-dimensional warrior
Commander of the divine army, courage, precision, and fearlessness personified
His Tamil form, beloved of South India, god of youth, beauty and grace
Embodies the ideal of a perfected human being in body, mind and spirit
ॐ सरवणभवाय नमः
Om Saravanabhavaya Namah
The root mantra of Kartikeya, invoking his grace, courage, and divine protection. Chanting grants victory over all enemies
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महासेनाय धीमहि।
तन्नः षण्मुखः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahasenaya Dhimahi, Tannah Shanmukhah Prachodayat
The Gayatri mantra of Lord Kartikeya, may the six-faced god illuminate and guide our intellect toward righteousness
வேல் முருகா · Vel Vel Vetri Vel
Vel Muruga, Victory to the Spear, Victory to Murugan
The sacred Tamil chant of devotees of Murugan, chanted during Kavadi, Thaipusam, and Skanda Shashti with great devotion
Kartikeya is worshipped during Skanda Shashti, Thaipusam, and special occasions at our Mandir. His energy of courage, perfection, and victory blesses all who seek his grace. All devotees are welcome.