An impressive copper statue of Kartikeya as Palani Andavar. A beautiful statue of Palani Andavar or Bala Murugan as a recluse. Lord Kartikeya, the younger son of Lord Shiva lost a competition with his elder brother Ganapati over a rare fruit. The one who circled the earth thrice and returned first was to get the fruit. Lord Ganesha (Ganapati) outwitted Kartikeya by circling the earth and sky symbolically simply by going around Shiva and Parvati thrice. Kartikeya on the other hand actually circled the entire earth thrice, only to find himself outwitted as Ganesha had already finished by the time he returned. <br> <br>Kartikeya was very angry since he felt that Shiva and Parvati gave importance to wit over toil. He left his parents and came to reside at Shivagiri, one of the two hills representing Shiva and Parvati, other being Shaktigiri. Feeling dejected the boy Kartikeya cast off his fine jewellery and clothes, keeping just a loincloth on and a staff in hand. He became a recluse. <br> <br>Shiva tried to pacify him saying that Kartikeya himself was the fruit which Ganesha won, the fruit of all knowledge and wisdom. However Kartikeya made the hill his abode. The right hand of this copper statue is poised as if holding a staff though it is missing in this statue and the left hand rests on his thigh. He is seen as a mendicant with just a loincloth on. This form of Kartikeya is also called Dandayudhapani (the one who holds staff in hand). This is a very neat copper statue to own.
