Karthikai Deepam 2016 galore: Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam Festival

Karthigai Deepam is a 10-day annual Festival of Lights celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Karthikai Deepam, the South Indian Hindu festival was celebrated in full momentum in Tamil Nadu. Also called the ‘Festival of Lights’, or Karthigai Deepam Festival is the most significant festival among the many festivals celebrated at Arunachaleswarar temple in the ancient holy city Tiruvannamalai throughout the year. This year it was celebrated on December 12, 2016. Popularly known as Karthigai Brahmotsavam, the ten-day festival began on December 3. Around four lakhs people came from different parts of the state to join in the celebrations. Karthigai Deepam festival  galore started at around in the early hours with the Bharani Deepam lit at the temple.

According to the Tamil calendar, Karthigai Deepam is a festival observed during the month of Karthigai on a Purnima day i.e. full moon day. It marks the birth of Lord Karthikeya, the incarnation of Lord Shiva as his second son after Lord Ganesh. The festival is also called Karthikai Maha Deepam after Lord Shiva appeared as an endless flame of light.

The 10-day festival commences with the hosting of the flag also known as Dwajaroghanam. On the first day, the Panchamurthis(Panchamurthigal) are taken out in the procession. The Panchamurthigal are Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Parvathi.

Primarily a Festival of Lights, the houses is lit with rows of Agal vilakkus (Clay Oil Lamps). The festival is similar to North Indian festivals Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi in which the strong bonding of brothers and sisters are celebrated. This year Karthigai Deepam fell on Monday symbolically dedicated to Lord Shiva added to the cheers of the devotees.