Mangala (मंगल)

Mangala (मंगल) is the graha deity corresponding to Mars in Jyotisha. Devotional and narrative traditions especially associate this figure with energy, courage, conflict, land, initiative and discipline. Common iconography may include red complexion, spear or mace and ram/goat imagery in varying iconography. Important related names include Mangal, Angaraka. The exact stories, ritual customs and visual details can differ by text, region and lineage, so descriptions should distinguish widely shared tradition from local interpretation. For a Madhuma reference page, the strongest people-first angle is to explain who Mangala is, the major stories and symbols, how worship differs across India, important festivals or pilgrimage contexts, and respectful modern practice without presenting devotional belief as historical fact.