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| Happy Karthigai Deepam i.ytimg.com |
Bharani Deepam, a sacred ritual of the part of Karthigai Deepam festival, holds immense spiritual significance and is observed with devotion at the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai, the main venue of this important festival for the Hindus .
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| Karigai deepam. hinduportal.com |
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| old image Bharani Deepam, Tiruvannamalai temple |
This ritual, central to the festival, is held on th temple premises by the Sivacharyas early on the culminating day when the Bharani Nakshatra aligns with the Tamil month of Karthigai, symbolizing an auspicious time to invoke Lord Shiva, the embodiment of the Pancha Bhoothams (five essential elements of life). here, God Shiva represents an importan natural element Ani /fire.
The ritual begins in the early hours in the temple’s sanctum (garbagriha) with the lighting of the Bharani Deepam. The temple priests perform abhishekam and deeparadhana to the presiding deity, Arunachaleswarar, amidst the chanting of Tamil and Vedic devotional hymns. A traditional yagam is conducted in the Artha Mandapam, and the temple’s chief priest lights five wicks in a ghee-filled lamp, representing Lord Shiva’s cosmic duties and his connection to the five elements. This light is shown to a select gathering of devotees, symbolizing divine blessings and prosperity. Normally about 1500 to 2000 devotees are allowed inside the court yard
Bharani Deepam is believed to signify Lord Shiva’s omnipresence and his role as the sustainer of life. The five-wick lamp, called Bhadradeepam, is thought to dispel darkness, cleanse negativity, and bring positive energy. The auspicious flame is a beacon of spiritual light, drawing devotees into introspection and harmony with nature.The ritual also sets the stage for the Maha Deepam, which is lit atop the 2,668-ft Arunachala Hill behind the temple at 6 pm on the same day. This year Karthigai Deepam takes place on December 13 and about 2000 devotees are allowed to climb the hill to witness the huge flame lit in a big cauldron (in Tamil Kopparai) with a long specially made giant wick soaked in tons of ghee, oil, etc.
Bharani Deepam highlights the importance of humility and devotion, guiding devotees toward inner enlightenment. In households across Tamil Nadu, lighting Bharani Deepam during this time is a tradition believed to invite prosperity, positive energy, and divine grace into the home, ensuring a blessed year ahead. Normally across the state in all Hindu temples and households oil lamps (normally earthen lamps are use) are lit only after the Maha Deepam is lit atop the Arunachala Hill.
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| Maha Deepam Trichy rock fort |
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| Maha Deepam Tirupparankundram, Tn thehindu.com |
At the same time on the same day in places like Titchy Malaikottai near Ucchi Pilliayar Temple and on the hill of Tiruparankundram, near Madurai Maha Deepam will be lit on a special tall steel platform provided with huge cauldron and giant cotton wick (700 meters longs oaked in oil _mahua or illupai , etc.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2022/12/importance-of-bharani-deepam-karthigai.html
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