The annual Karthigai (also spelled Karthikai) Deepam festival is yet another well-known Hindu festival, particularly in Tamil nadu that normally falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai (mid-Nov to mid-Dec) and the main event is on the evening of the full Moon day. This year more than 25 lakhs of devotees are expected to attend the festivities that will last for 10 long days and the final event will be lighting Maha deepam that takes place in the evening at 6 pm today (6th of December, 2022).
Karthigai Deepam, an ancient festival, often associated with God Shiva and God Muruga (Karthikaya) gives much importance to the lighting of oil lamps preferably earthen lamps (made from clay). The spiritual significance on this day is getting rid of ignorance, ego and gaining knowledge, enlightenment and welfare of the society as a whole. It is the birth day of God muruga (Subramanya) created by God Shiva with 6 flames from his third eye (Nettrikkan). The six babies in Saravana poigai, a celestial lake and were looked after by six krittika stars. On this day, Goddess Parvathy united all the six forms of Skantda.
Supposedly thi annual Thiruvilakku festival is celebrated for three days called Appa Karthigai, Vadai Karthigai, and Thiru Karthigai. On the culminating day devotees flock to the local temples as well ato Tiruvannamalai Temple to offer prayers and get blessed by Lord Shiva, a symbol of eternity.
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| Karthigai deepam, Arunachaleswar temple, Thiruvannamalai utsav.gov.in |
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| procession on the Maada veethi,Arunachaleswar temple, arunachalagrace.blogspot.com |
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| Rishaba vahana, Thiruvannamalai. arunachalagrace.blogspot.com |
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| Rishaba vahana, Thiruvannamalai. arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/ |
The following are the festivities associated with 10 day Karthigai deepam festival at Arunachaleswar temple, Thiruvannamalai:
01. The first day Brahmotsavam – Sunday (27.11.2022) – Karthigai Deepam Brahmotsavam festival commences with the hosting of temple flag on the gold-plated flag pole (Dwajaroghanam) symbolic of the start of the 9 day festival. The processional idols of the temple Arunachaleswarar (on Silvar vahana) and Panchamurthis - Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Parvathi are taken out in a procession in the morning and night. Before the procession the Deeparadhana is done to the deities at the kalyana mandapam.
02. The second day – Monday (28.11.2022) – procession of god' idol on silver Indira Vimanam - the chariot of Lord Indira
03. The third day – Tuesday (29.11.2022) – 1008 Sangu (conch) Abhishekam in the Morning is a main puja ritual. At night procession of deities . Highlight: Simha vahana- lion.
04. The fourth day – Wednesday (30.11.2022) Procession of Panchamurthi at night on the silver kamadhenu vahana. The holy wish-granting tree Karpaviruksha is kept on the side of the lord.
05. The fifth day – Thursday (1.12.2022) –Morning ritual begins with Kalasa Pooja and at night the procession on the silver rishaba (bull) vahana is an important event being watched by lots of people. The main festival idol goes on a big ratha - about 25 feet tall.The unique feature is a giant umbrella 17 ft in diameter is carefully carried in the processon.
The sixth day –Friday – (2.12.2022) –63 Nayanmar (in Tamil Aarupathhumoonru Nayanmargal) procession in the morning. At night procession of festival idol of the Lord on the silver chariot,etc.
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| Maha ratha, thiruvannamalai, thiruvannamalai.in |
The seventh day – Saturday – (3.12.2022 )- The car (chariot / Ther) festival falls on the 7 th day and deities are taken out on five colorfully decorated huge wooden chariots. Devotees would pull them manually along the four Maada streets. The main chariot is huge and wider, almost touching either side of the street.
The eight day – Sunday – (4.12.2022) – The festivity begins in the morning with the procession of the idol on the huge horse vahana which is depicted at a gallop - all four legs off the ground, At Night God Sri Pichandavar procession.
On the ninth day – Monday- (5.12.2022) - Procession of idol on the Kailasa Vahanam at night - Purusha Mirugam Vahanam
The tenth day – Tuesday – (6.12.2022) – Karthigai Deepam festival starts around 4 am. Morning 4 am Bharanai deepam will be lit in the sanctum. And in the evening Pancha murthis will be taken to the katchi mandap. When the Maha deepam is lit at 6 pm on the temple premises, at the same time huge maha deepam will be lit atop the Annamalaiyar hill behind the temple.
At night there will be Rishaba vahanam God Shiva will be riding golden vahana. Silver Rishba Vahanam of Lord Arunachaleswarar goes procession round the hill, known as Girivalam or pradhiksahana.
After the Festival, flag on flagpole is lowered marking the end of the festival. Apart, on several days there will be float rituals (thepporchavam) and the deities will be taken in a boat in the temple tank called teppakulam.
https://thiruvannamalai.in/tiruvannamalai-temple/tiruvannamalai-karthigai-deepam/
