Mars, Mangal, or the Mangal Graha is the action planet and the planet of desire. Mars, the God of War, devises energy, action, and desire. It is the bringer of survival instinct in individuals and the nurturer of the "leftover" animal instincts that we human beings have saved over centuries; like aggression, anger, and survival. Mangal Graha is also the ruler of our carnal desires and our basic animalistic nature. Mangal bellies the impulse and ensures that people act before they contemplate. The raw, impatient, rash, aggressive and adventurous side of people is driven by the planet, along with our competitive streak.

Mangal dosha or kuja dosha  is the combination in the birth chart or horoscope where Mars (also known as Mangal or Kuja) is placed in the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house in the Ascendant. A person with mangal dosh in his natal chart is called Manglik.