[1] According to Shaiva tradition, the goddess Parvati presented the Vel to her son Kartikeya(also known as Murugan), as an embodiment of her shakti, in order to vanquish the asura Surapadman.

[2] When a complete defeat for Surapadman was imminent, the asura transformed himself into a huge mango tree to evade detection by Murugan.

Not fooled by asura's trick, Murugan hurled his vel and split the mango tree into two halves, one becoming a rooster (Tamil: சேவல், lit.

[4] During this festival, some of the devotees pierce their skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers while they undertake a procession towards the Kartikeya temple.

Adi-vel is a major festival observed in Sri Lanka by Tamil Hindus in the month of July/August, known as Adi.