Deities & devotionNavagraha: Mars
Mangala
Mars, the fiery graha of courage.
Try it at home
On a Tuesday, chant Om Angarakaya Namah, or read the Navagraha verse for Mangala.
Optional, as always. Adapt it to your family, region and health.
The wisdom
Mangala, also called Angaraka or Kuja, is the planet Mars as a god, red and fiery, said to be born of the Earth. Tuesday (Mangalavara) is his day.
Mangala stands for energy and courage, and for learning to direct them well.
What the evidence says
Evidence: TraditionalThe value rests on lived tradition and reasoning, not on tests.Astrology's claims that the grahas shape people's lives are not supported by research. Worship of the grahas is a matter of faith and tradition.
How we rate evidenceSignificance
What it means to the people who keep it. Faith-based meaning is described as belief, not as proven fact.
In astrology Mangala is linked with drive and conflict. Belief in Mangal dosha affects some marriage matches; many families and scholars question it.