Murugan, also known as Karttikeya ("son of Krittika"), Shanmukha ("one with six faces"), Kumara ("child or son"), Skanda ("attacker") among other names, is both the youthful God of war and the patron deity of Tamil Nadu in South India. He is very a popular Hindu deity among Tamil Hindus, and is worshiped primarily in areas with Tamil influence, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and southern India.
Murugan became the supreme general of the demi-gods and led the army of the devas to victory against the demons. The six sites at which Karthikeya sojourned while leading his armies against Surapadman are Tiruttanikai, Swamimalai, Tiruvavinankudi (Palani), Pazhamudirsolai, Tirupparamkunram and Tiruchendur. All these sites have ancient temples glorified by the Tamil poems of Tirumurugaatruppadai of the Sangam period. These six sites collectively came to be known as "Arupadai Veedu" meaning the six battle camps of the Lord.