Vel
(वेल)Literal Meaning
The spear
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
Tamil vel: a spear or lance.
Spiritual Insight & Context
The spear of Murugan, the sign of his power. Tradition says Parvati gave it to him, and it is worshipped at his temples.
Where Vel Comes Up
Thaipusam: The Vel and the Kavadi
Thaipusam is Murugan's festival on the Pusam star near the full moon of Thai. This article sets out the day, what tradition and the early Tamil texts say, and what is custom.
Topics
Murugan and the Defeat of Tarakasura
How Shiva's six-faced son Murugan (Kartikeya) was born to lead the gods against the invincible demon Tarakasura, and became the Vel-wielding commander worshipped across Tamil Nadu's six sacred abodes.
Katha
Aru Padai Veedu: The Six Abodes of Lord Murugan
The six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan across Tamil Nadu, celebrated in Sangam literature and Thiruppugazh hymns as sites of cosmic victory and grace.
Sacred Places
Pancha Arama: The Five Sacred Shiva Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh
The Pancha Aramas are five Shiva kshetras in Andhra Pradesh, sanctified by fragments of the Atma Lingam broken when Kartikeya defeated Tarakasura.
Sacred Places