Karthigai Deepam - The Great Lamp Festival

India is a country of varied traditions and cultures. Various languages, culture, and food make it different. Karthigai Deepam is a light festival in South India. It starts on the day of the Diwali. All states, including Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, celebrate Karthigai Deepam with great zeal. Karthigai Deepam is similar to Bhai Duj or Raksha Bandhan, celebrated grandly in other parts of the country. This function also includes lighting lamps in houses, temples, and work spots.

Karthigai in Tamil Literature:

There are several references for Karthigai Deepam in Sangam Literature. Ahanananuru 141 stanza describes how people lit the lamps on the evening of Karthigai Full Moon Day. Natrinai 202 explains Karthigai as the month of being fit and involved in charitable acts. Even Karthigai fasting on the day of Karthigai Deepam was also mentioned. Kar Narpathu explains the purpose of lighting lamps on Karthigai Full Moon Day evening. Seevaka Sinthamani reveals that the lamps were lit on the top of the hill during Karthigai Deepam.

History of Arunachaleshwara Temple, Tiruvannamalai

When speaking about Karthigai Deepam, Arunachaleshwara Temple is famous for celebrating the light day. This sacred ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Shiva. This temple is perceived to be one of the Pancha Booth Sthalams. It belongs to the fire element. Arunachaleshwara Temple lies at the base of the Annamalai Hills, Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. Shiva graces his devotees in the form of Agni Lingam. Devotees believe visiting the place and performing circumambulation on full moon days will help them achieve liberation.

As the temple celebrates Karthigai Deepam grandly, millions of pilgrims and devotees flock to witness the significance of the darshan of the beacon of light on the hill.

Lighting atop the hill

A giant lamp is lit on Karthigai Deepam day atop the 2668-foot Annamalai hill. The huge flame is visible up to 40 Km daily for ten continuous days. On the 11th day, it is put off. People gather at the hill to worship Shiva in the form of light and wash out their sins. They even contribute oil and money to burn the Maha Deepam.

A 1000-foot-long wick is prepared for this huge lamp in Tiruppur district. The brass cauldron used as the lamp is 10 feet high and 5 feet wide. 3500 kg ghee is used to burn the lamp. With great difficulty, the temple staffs carry the heavy cauldron through a 7 km route to the top of the hill.

The temple priests light the Bharani Deepam in the morning and the Maha Deepam in the evening.

Karthigai Deepam Celebrations

People celebrate Karthigai Deepam to eliminate negativity from life and welcome holy things. They light mud lamps (Agal Vilakku) inside and outside of houses. Before the day of the festival, they clean their houses. On Karthigai Deepam, they wake up early and, after bathing, perform Poojas at home. They fast and offer prayers to the deities Shiva and Muruga, as the latter's birthday is celebrated as Karthigai Deepam. They also offer Sakkarai Pongal, Vadai, and sweets to the deities as "Neivedyam" during worship. In the evening, they light several lamps and the entire city shimmers in the light. People also burst crackers and visit temples to worship the deities.

Why do we observe Karthigai Deepam?

Karthigai Deepam has been in practice since the Sangam era. He is closely connected with the Tamilnadu people and is worshipped as "Adi Yogi."

In Tamilnadu, people celebrate Karthigai Deepam for three consecutive days. Bharani Deepam is the previous day of Karthigai Deepam. People light some lamps on this day and place them at the entrance of houses. They worship Shiva and the warrior deity Muruga on Karthigai Deepam for removing darkness in the form of negativities, fulfilment of wishes, peace, and prosperity, and vanquishing pride and ego.

We will be together on the special occasion of Karthigai Deepam and worship to receive the blessings of Shiva and Muruga.