KARTHIGAI DEEPAM
November 27, 2020
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Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is not well known in most other parts of India. Thirukarthigai and karthigai Deepam or is a festival of lights that is observed by Hindus of Tamil Nadu and some parts of Kerala. It falls in the month of Karthigai (கார்த்திகை) which falls from mid-November to mid-December as per Tamil calendar. The full moon day of this Karthigai month is called Karthigai Pournami.
Mythology There is an interesting mythological story that explains the connection between Karthigai and the lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to fight to know who was the most powerful of the two. While they fought, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of an enormous pillar of fire. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu stopped fighting and decided to find the top and bottom of the pillar.
Therefore, Lord Brahma assumed the shape of a bird and flew upwards. Lord Vishnu became a wild boar and began digging deep into the ground. Both their efforts proved to be futile, as Lord Shiva in the form of fire continued to grow in size. In the end, they gave up and admitted Lord Shiva’s supremacy.
Tiruvannamalai On the full moon day of Karthigai month , Lord Shiva appeared as a hill known as Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai which is in Tamil Nadu. In fact, the names “Tiruvannamalai” and “Arunachala” are translated as “hill of the sacred fire”. The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni lingam and it is believed that the small lamps lit during Karthigai Deepam are the miniature replicas. Every year, thousands of devotees gather at Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam. The lamps lit on this occasion are of different shapes,sizes and colors.
Legend Another legend says that the name of the festival born from the name of Lord Kartikeya. He is also known as Murugan or Shanmugham or Aarumugam. This name was given to him because he was born out of Lord Shiva’s third eye with six faces and twelve hands. All the six faces represent, six different characteristics. Lord Murugas six forms were raised by six different nymphs. There are six magnificent temples in Tamil Nadu collectively referred to as the Aaru Padai Veedu, meaning the six abodes of Lord Murugan.
Celebrations Like Diwali , Karthigai Deepam is also celebrated as a festival of lamps. While the lighted lamp is an important ritual in our festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai. It is considered an auspicious symbol of prosperity and joy and is believed to get rid of evil forces. From the start of Karthigai month Agal vilakkus which are Clay Oil lamps are lit every day in Shiva temples and households. On Karthigai Deepam day rows of Agal vilakkus are lit in every house. Crackers are also burst as part of the celebrations.
Similar to Bhai-Dhuj and Raakhi, the Karthigai festival in south India is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion. This is another occasion to wear bright Kanjeepuram sarees and Pattu Pavadais.
Traditional sweets Like all festivals, traditional food plays an important role in the celebration. Karthigai Deepam is incomplete without the traditional sweets nel pori urandai and appam. The main ingredients of Nel pori urandai are puffed rice and jaggery . And of Appam are rice powder, jaggery and ghee.
I hope this glimpse of Karthigai Deepam has infused you with the blend of religious and cosmic insights and provided you with deep spiritual satisfaction.
