temple flag hoisting Arunachaleswar temple, Tiruvannamala.tvmalai.in |
Karthigai maha deepam, Thiruvannamalai, TN religionworld.in |
Arunachaleswar temple, Tiruvannamalai dreamstime.com |
Karthigai refers to one of the stars or Nakshatras and deepam means light or diya. Also referred to as the festival of deepa it falls on the full moon day (or a day earlier) in the month of Karthigai (November-December). Karthigai Deepam 2023 date is November 26. The main event of the day is the lighting of traditional oil lamps in the evening after sunset and it is done after Maha deepam is lit on the 2668 tall Arunachala hill close to the temple. Lighting of Bharani Deepam will be held at 4 am on the temple premises. On the day, temples, homes and streets are decorated with traditional oil lamps (earthen). No doubt, special pujas and prayers are held in temples on the day
This being a long temple festival lasting 10 days and involving many rituals and puja protocols, in the temple town of Tiruvannamalai preparations had already begun for the main event the Maha Deepam festival that began on November 26 2023. The customary flag hoisting ceremony at Sri Arunachaleswarar temple already took place on the 17th of November in the early morning in the presence of important officials with temple priests hoisting the temple flag atop the flag pole / Dwajasthambam by chanting mantras. The majestic hoisting of the golden flag tree, symbolizes the commencement of the festivities. Special poojas and abhishekam will be held to to main deities for which the temple will be opened at 2 am in the early mooning
This year it is expected to attract more than 20 lakh devotees from across Tamil Nadu and other states. So the authorities are focusing on necessary facilities which include operation of special fleets of buses from far-off places and trains, makeshift parking facilities, help centers. Medical mobile units, drinking water facilities and toilet.,
https://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/11/karthigai-deepam-2009-date-kartika.html
https://www.navrangindia.in/2022/12/importance-of-bharani-deepam-karthigai.html