After the divine darshan of Lord Ganesha, devotees are blessed with the sight of Lord Kartikeya, who is located to the left of Nandi. Lord Kartikeya is the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva and the younger brother of Lord Ganesha. His blessings bestow courage, strength, and success upon the devotees.
Lord Kartikeya: The God of War and Wisdom
According to beliefs and Hindu scriptures, Lord Kartikeya (also known as Skanda, Murugan, Kumaraswamy, Shanmukha, and Subramanya) is the elder son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the god of war and the commander of the divine army. In South India, he is especially revered and holds a significant place in Tamil culture.
The Story of His Birth
Lord Kartikeya was born to defeat the demon Tarakasura. Tarakasura had a boon that only Shiva’s son could kill him. To fulfill this, the gods requested Shiva to marry Parvati. After their marriage, a divine spark emerged from their union. This energy was so intense that even Agni (the fire god) could not hold it and placed it in the river Ganga. The Ganga nurtured this energy, which manifested as six divine children. Goddess Parvati gathered all six children and merged them into one being with six faces, thus giving birth to Lord Kartikeya, also called Shanmukha (the six-faced one).
Commander of the Gods
After his birth, Kartikeya mastered warfare and divine knowledge. He became the commander of the gods and eventually slew Tarakasura. This is why he is considered a symbol of strength and power.
Worship and Significance
In South India, Lord Murugan’s grand temples include Palani, Thiruttani, and Swamimalai. He is an inspiration for youth, warriors, and seekers of wisdom. Festivals like Thaipusam and Skanda Shashti are celebrated in his honor.
Between Lord Shiva’s two sons, Lord Kartikeya symbolizes strength and valor, while Lord Ganesha symbolizes wisdom and auspiciousness. Some traditions describe Kartikeya as a celibate, while South Indian lore considers him married to Valli and Devasena.
Lord Kartikeya is not only the god of war but also a symbol of discipline, strength, and wisdom. His life inspires us to embrace courage and perform our duties with devotion.
