In Hindu mythology, Mangala, the planetary god Mars, is one among the
Navagrahas. He has been depicted as having four hands - with a mace and a javelin in two hands and the other two hands holding the abhaya and varada mudras. His vehicle is the ram. According to Sri Nava Graha Stotra, Mangala provides good fortune.
Mangala is identified as Lord Kartikeya, who was created out of six sparks from the third eye of Lord Shiva. He is considered as the son of Shiva and Earth, and hence the names Angaraka, Bhauma, Bhumi Putra and Mahisuta. He is also called Siva-Gharma-ja, meaning born of the sweat of Shiva. Other names are Gaganolmuka (the torch of the sky), Lohita (the red), Navarchi (the nine eyed), Chara (the spy), Rinantaka (ender of debts, patron of debtors) and Chovvai.
Mangala is highly revered in Vaitheeswaran Kovil, about 50 km from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
