Actually Ganesha has not a “brother” but has “brothers”.
This is his Elder brother known as Muruga/Karthikeya/Skanda…
Specialities:
- He has the shakthi-powered “Spear of Victory” or “Vetrivel”.
- He is known as bachelor in northern part and husband of 2 in south
- He is the commander-in-chief of Devas.
- Indra is his father-in-law , Vishnu is his maternal uncle.
- He is the only son born with union power of Shiva-Shakthi while Ganesha was born from the turmeric creation of Parvathi.
- His birth was very adventurous as he emanated from Sixth head of Shiva and carried by Agni to fuse with Ganga.
- As, his womb is too hot , even Agni can’t bear his heat threw it near shara grass and Ganga took it
- The womb split to 6 pieces and Ganga took it and he was born on Krithika star on Aadi/Jyestha month and called Karthikeya. Hence Aadi Krithika was celebrated.
- They six children were raised by 6 women who were accepted inside Parvathi.
Feats:
- Taught his the father Shiva the mantra Om.
- He lost to Ganesha on race of world for a fruit
- He is a vivid tamer of peacocks and has 3 precious peacocks.
- He is the progenitor of Sangattamil
- Skanda Purana was written based on his events which the largest of puranas till date
- Adishankara wrote about him in Kaumaram series
The younger brother of Ganesh which is not known to many is none other than ayyappan or ayyanar Son of Shiv-Mohini(Vishnu)
they are the same but worshipped as different deities in different areas
in Tamilnadu aiyyanar is worshipped as “Protector” deity and in Kerala legends say ayyapan who killed a demonness Mahishi which was granted a boon that she need to be killed by the child of shiva-vishnu.
Stats:
- Ayyapan is adopted by Pandhala Raja (A chera king)
- Ayyapan drank tiger’s milk
- He’s seen with with bow and arrow and mounted on a tiger
- He killed mahishi at age of 16
- after doing so Ayyappan renounces the kingdom, becomes an ascetic yogi and returns to live as a great warrior in the forested mountain
- the most temples the Sabarimala temple. The temple attracts millions of visitors every year during mandala season from mid November to mid January. Other important temples are Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple, Aryankavu Sastha Temple, Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Erumely Sree Dharmasastha Temple and Ponnambalamedu Temple.Ayyappan temples typically show him as a celibate yogi. Only men are allowed in temple despite any government pressure.
- The Sabarimala temple construction was assisted by Parashurama.
- The village temples of Ayyanar are usually flanked by gigantic and colorful statues of him and his companions riding horses or elephant.
- Aiyyanar is a “protection deity” and he is given Padaial of alcohol and biryani (mainly non-vegetarian). The festivals of Aiyyanar is more famous in deep south people and Kshatriyas like Cholas worshipped him before going wars
- Aiyyanar is seen mostly with Arival or known as Billhook.
- The village temples of Ayyanar are usually flanked by gigantic and colorful statues of him and his companions riding horses or elephant
