The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Karthigai (November - December), which coincides with Krithikai star. It begins on Uttradam day with flag hoisting and goes on the nine days.

Unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country. One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs.

LEGENDS AND TEMPLE CELEBRATIONS

Legend related to Thiruvannamalai: The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. It is celebrated in a special manner in Thiruvannamalai, as Karthigai deepam is considered as main event and festival there.

There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire.

Then Lord Shiva takes the form of a jyothi (light of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Therefore, this festival is also known as Annamalai Deepam. Here, a special torch is lighted on the zenith of the hill and it is believed that Lord Shiva's jothi will be visible on this day.

Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. But even after searching for several years, neither of the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realised that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva, and it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as the huge fire at a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.

LEGEND RELATED TO LORD MURUGA

On this day, all his six forms were united by his mother Parvathi, and he became “Arumugan" (the form with six faces). Special pujas are performed for Lord Muruga on this day

Special poojas are performed to Lord Muruga at his six important abodes

CELEBRATIONS AT HOME

Rows of (Mud lamps) Agal vilakkus in front of every house... this is the image that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam. In some houses, they double the number of lamps every day from the day of Deepavali and this way, they end up with a number of lamps on the day of Kaarthigai Deepam.

On this day, people clean the houses. In the evening, they draw kolams (rangoli) in the front of the house and also place some lamps on it. The lamps (Agal) are placed in the pooja and lighted. Then the Deeparathana is done in which the lamps are moved to different places in the house. The lamps glow all over the streets on this day. The lamps are arranged near the doors and windows and also in the balconies.

And of course none of the festival is finished with out sweets,  Pori urundai (puffed rice balls), Vella Appam and Verkadalai Urundai(fried Groundnut balls made with jagerry) are the main sweets offred as neivedhyam.

Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol, believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai.

Let the light of Karthigai Deepam illuminate the darkness of ignorance and unhappiness and bring in enlightenment to our lives with joy and prosperity.

Celebrate this Karthigai With our beautiful lamps.