According to Jyotish or astrology Mangala is the name for the red colored planet Mars. Mangala is also called as Angaraka (one who is red in color) or Bhauma(son of Bhumi). Mangala is the god of war. He is the son of Prithvi or Bhumi, the Earth Goddess. In astrology Mangala is the owner of Aries (Mesha) and Scorpio (Vrischika) science and a teacher of the occult sciences and presides over Mangalvar or Tuesday.

Mangala is described as red or flame colored male with four arms, carrying a trident, club, lotus and a spear. His Vahana or mount is a ram.

Mangala`s birth story is as follows -
Once when Lord Shiva was engulfed in deep meditation, three drops of perspiration from his forehead fell down on the earth. From this drops of perspiration a very beautiful child emerged, whose complexion was red colored and he had four arms.

The Earth Goddess Bhumi brought up the child as Lord Shiva handed him to her. The child was named as Bhaum, as Bhumi nurtured and raised her.

When Bhaum grew up he went to Kashi and underwent a severe penance to appease Lord Shiva. Shiva blessed Bhauma by granting him the `Mangala Loka` (the abode of Mangala), which was supirior to Shukra Loka (The abode of God of Venus-Shukra). After this, Bhauma was established in the solar system by the name of Mangala.