Mangala

About Mangala

Mangala is the red planet Mars among the nine Navagrahas, pictured in the Markandeya Purana's Angaraka Kavacham as red-bodied and red-robed, crowned, with four arms holding a mace, trident and spear, riding a ram. He is Bhauma, son of the Earth — born of Bhumi after Vishnu raised her from the cosmic ocean as the boar Varaha. The Skanda Purana's Mangala Stotram places him at the head of the nine planets. Devotees worship him on Tuesday with handfuls of flowers and 108 chants on a coral mala, seeking release from debt and relief from Mangal Dosha in the birth chart.