Question: are ayyappa and kartikeya same?
Answer: Lord Kartikeya is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, born to kill the demons like Tarakasura, Surapadma and Simhamukha. ... Lord Ayyappan is also a son of Lord Shiva, but he was born after his (and also our) father's union with the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu.