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| Karthigai Deepam Festival 2024 adotrip.com |
Karthigai Deepam, one of the oldest Tamil Hindu festivals, will be celebrated on December 13, 2024. This vibrant festival of lights takes place in the Tamil month of Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December) and coincides with the full moon day and Karthigai Nakshatram (star).
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| Karthigai Deepam Festiva astroved.com |
This 10 long day festivities with pomp and religious processions will attract more than 3 to 4 million people and the district authorities have already begun making preparation for the grand event. Security is the primary concern so roughly 8000 to 9000 policemen will be on duty and hundreds of CCTV cameras will be set at vantage points to watch crowd movements.
Special arrangements are made with respect to health emergency ambulance facilities, potable water, toilet facilities, etc. No cars or vans will be allowed inside the town. Numerous buses and several trains will take care of transport of devotees from different destinations. Temporary bus depots will be set on the town's outskirts.
The festival commemorates the divine event when Lord Shiva appeared as an endless flame of light to resolve a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma over their supremacy. Lord Vishnu, in the form of a boar, searched for Shiva’s feet, while Lord Brahma, as a swan, sought his head. Unable to succeed, Brahma falsely claimed victory using the Thazhambu flower as evidence. Lord Shiva exposed Brahma’s deceit and proclaimed that the Thazhambu flower would never be used in his worship.
Karthigai Deepam holds special significance at the Annamalaiyar Temple in Thiruvannamalai (that symbolizes Agni / fire). A massive lamp, symbolizing Lord Shiva, is lit atop the Annamalai Hill at sunset, visible for miles. Thousands of devotees gather to witness this sacred ritual, believed to bring spiritual blessings to drive away negative and evil forces.
Throughout Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, homes and temples are illuminated with oil lamps, which are considered symbols of prosperity and the dispelling of darkness. Sisters light lamps and pray for their brothers' well-being, celebrating sibling bonds similar to Raksha Bandhan in North India.
The festival also includes reading the Karthika Puranam and observing fasts until sunset throughout the month. In Telugu households, a unique 365-wick lamp is lit on Kartheeka Purnima.
Karthigai Deepam unites communities in devotion, reflecting the timeless message of truth, light, and the triumph of good over evil. It remains a cherished part of Tamil heritage and culture.
https://www.abhibus.com/blog/karthika-mahadeepotsav-celebrations-in-tiruvannamalai/
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