The
Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Karthigai
(November - December). It begins on Uttradam day with flag hoisting and goes
on the nine days. In the early hours of the tenth day Bharani Deepam in five
agantams will be lit in Arunachaleswarar's Sannithi. In the evening, the
Pancha Murthis will be brought to the Katchi Mandapam. At dusk (Pradosha)
the Karthigai day synchronizing with the full moon day, the deity,
Ardhanareeswarar is taken out to this place with the five deepams, which are
put in a big receptacle near the flug-stuff. At the same time the beacon
light on the hill is lit. The huge concourse of devotees from all parts of
our country in a million voice raise a cry simultaneously "Harohara to
Annamalai" which will rend the air. It is a sight for the Gods to see!
ROWS OF agal vilakkus in front of every house... this is the image that at
once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam - the festival of
lights that is celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of
Karthigai (November-December). Not many of us are aware that it is one of
the oldest festivals celebrated in the State, perhaps even before people
began celebrating Deepavali and Navarathri. Also, 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.
Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is
considered an auspicious symbol. It is 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.
Legend !
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. Lord Vishnu and
Lord Brahma gave up quarrelling and decided to find the top and the bottom
of the pillar.
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.
Soon afterwards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at
Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and
`Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.' The Shivalinga in the temple
here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival
(Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire
linga. Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to
Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.
Geographic accessibility
This town Thiruvannamalai is situated in 187 kilometers away from Chennai,
formerly known as Madras- Capital of Tamil Nadu and there is a railway
station on the villupuram - Katpadi rail route. This town stands on an
elevation of 266ft ( 79.80 M ) above sea level.
