Murugan and His Two Wives - Valli and Devayani

Lord Muruga or Subramanya is one of the most widely worshipped gods among Hindus, especially by Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius. Lord Murugan or Karthikeya is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the younger brother of Lord Ganesha. Lord Murugan represents the “Gnana Shakthi” or “Power of knowledge”.

Lord Muruga is worshipped as Kumaraswami or Kumara Swamy (Bachelor God) during his bachelorhood. According to Puranas, Murugan Swami is married to two deities - Valli and Deivayanai. 

Goddess Valli

Goddess Valli is the daughter of Nambi Raj (Nambirajan), the King of a Mountain tribe. Valli in her previous birth was the daughter of Lord Vishnu and did several penance in her previous birth to become to wife of Subramanya. Goddess Valli depicts the "Ichha Shakti" or “Power of Aspirations”.  

The wedding of Valli to Lord Subramanya is called “Valli Kalyanam”. It is said that after Valli Kalyanam Lord Muruga and Goddess Valli moved to Tiruthani Murugan Temple, one of the Arupadaiveedu of Muruga, located at Tiruttani, 50 km north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Valli Kalyanam is celebrated as an annual festival in all Lord Subramanya Temples on the Vaikasi Visakam day. 

Goddess Devayani

Deviyani (Devayani or Deivanai) is the daughter of Lord Indra, the King of Heaven. Goddess Deivayanai represents ‘Kriya Shakthi’ or the “Power of Actions”. It is said that the celestial wedding of Lord Murugan and Deivayanai took place at one of the Arupadaiveedu, the Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple, in Tiruparankunram, 5 miles from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Panguni Uthram festival is celebrated in all Lord Murugan Temples to commemorate this auspicious occasion.

Other Names of Muruga

Muruga is also known by the names Kumara, Saravana, Karthikeya, Senthil, Shanmugha (Sanmuga), Guha, Skanda, Velan, Subrahmanya, and Swaminatha.

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