Karthigai Deepam is a Hindu Tamil's festival. The festival is observed in every home and every temple, and falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and purnima. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear.
Many legends and lyrical poetry have grown round this star. The six stars are considered in Indian mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai nymphs. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the festival day.
It is the oldest festival in Tamil Nadu. One of the oldest literatures in Tamil called Tolkappiam dating back to 2000-2500 B.C. mentions the significance and background of this festival. Another 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 month of Karthigai, as per South Indian calendar. It was one of the most important festivals of the ancient Tamils, including now the areas of modern Kerala too. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs. Karthikai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals celebrated by the Tamil people. The festival finds reference in Sangam literature like Ahananuru and the poems of Auvaiyar.
There is an interesting legend about Karthigai Deepam. Once, Vishnu and Brahma had a conflict 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 their quarrelling and decided to find the beginning and the end 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. Even after searching for several years, neither of the two were able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realized that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva. This bonfire symbolizes that worshipping the Eternal Archetype Shiva on this day will annihilate the three impurities, namely, egoism, selfish action and delusion.
Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned. But Lord Brahma, chancing upon a piece of Thazhambu, a flower, learnt from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva's head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen the other's top. Lord Siva realized the falsehood and pronounced that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also interdicted the use of the flower Thazhambu in his worship. Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is called Maha Deepam.
One day, when Lord Shiva was in meditation, Parvati left Him and went to the hill of Arunachala. There She performed penance. She was the guest of the sage Gautama. It was during Her penance here that Mahishasura was killed by Durga hidden by Parvati. Parvati saw Shiva as Arunachalesvara. She was taken back by the Lord to His side, and made His Ardhangini once more, that is, She occupied half of the body of the Lord.Arunachalesvara is Tejo Lingam. Arunachala or the Tiruvannamalai Hill is the place that represents the fire element. (The five elements are represented by five holy places in India.)
Rows of Agal vilakkus (oil lit lamps) are lit in every house. 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. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(analogous to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.
Karthigai festival in Tiruvannamalai hills is very famous. On Karthigai day, a huge fire lamp is lit up on the hill, visible for several kilometers around the hill. The fire (dheepam) is called Mahadeepam, as Hindu devotees visit the place, to pray and offer lord Shiva.
Arunachala is the mountain of Thiruvannamalai, which is called the mountain of light(fire) and has existed in all ages in different forms. Fire symbolizes light, consciousness and intelligence and on Karthigai Deepam, a special light floods the entire earth plane with a karma dissolving light. Only the sages can see this light as it is of a different frequency than what the human eye can detect. To replicate this spiritual occasion, a huge lamp is lit on the top of the mountain.
Light is intelligence and energy. The more inner light and energy you have, the less limitations you will have. Increased awareness liberates you from ego, selfishness, delusion, pain and suffering.
The mountain of light dissolves ego-based intelligence. Ego identity is the source of our limitations: envy, jealously, insecurity and anger. Indeed ego is simply ones insecurity, but a hard one to dissolve. The mountain is reputed for its special ability to subdue even the ego of Gods.
All of the little flames of different lamps burning together symbolizes the essence of universal oneness. The mountain is Lord Shiva or the higher intelligence that can burn away all of our impurities. Lighting deepam here is lighting lamps at the feet of Lord Shiva, the highest, or seeking the end of mediocrity and ignorance.
It is during Karthigai month that Lord Shiva created Muruga with his divine light. Lord Shiva manifested Lord Muruga when the Devas were being oppressed by the demon Taraka. Lord Muruga is the conjoint manifestation of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Shiva's deep spiritual exuberance was disturbed by cherub. Parvati too was observing penance to get the grace of Shiva. When Shiva opened his eyes, he burnt the angel. At that time six flashes, like lightning, emerged -- five from the five senses and one from the mind of Shiva. These became six babies and the cosmic mother, Parvati, rolled them into one baby with six heads and twelve arms, thus Lord Muruga is also known as Shanmukha (6 faces). The six heads represents the six rays or attributes, viz., wisdom, insouciance, strength, fame, wealth and divine power.
Lord Muruga, the son of Shiva, plays a vital role in the fight for light or consciousness. As Muruga was born out of the 3rd eye of Lord Shiva, the act itself symbolizes the birth of a higher consciousness and Muruga represents unlimited divine wisdom.
Muruga also recited the meaning of 'OM' to Shiva thus the lamps lit on the day are in remembrance of sharing the ultimate knowledge of 'OM.' The knowledge of 'OM' helps in enlightenment and emancipation.
Lighting traditional oil lamps in the evening after sunset (during twilight period) is the main event on the day. Karthigai Deeepam is also observed as Bharani Deepam and Vishnu Deepam in Tamil Nadu and is an auspicious day for both Shaivites and Vaishanvites. On this day, every Hindu home lights the traditional Vilaku (diyas) in the evening. Locally, these lamps are known as ‘agal vilakkus.’
The day is also highly auspicious for Lord Muruga devotees as he was taken care by the six Krttika stars and the celebrations on Karthigai commemorate his divine birth. In popular Tamil belief, Karthikai Nakshatra is the birthday of Murukan.
Karthigai Deeepam is celebrated as Tirukarttikai in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and in other parts of the world which has Tamil population. People light lamps outside their home.
Especially in Tiruvannamalai, rows of lamps are lighted on the hill and this is most popular Karthigai Deepam. The lighted lamp is an auspicious symbol and it is believed to usher in prosperity and joy.
In north, Karthik Poornima celebrated in the month of November-December is the sacred day, when the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly-lit earthern lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this spectacular event, famous as 'Dev Deepawali'.
Kartik Poornima is very auspicious and religious day for the Jains. This is the day of ‘Nirvana’ of Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. To them it is the 'Deva Diwali' when Lord Mahavira is worshiped, Jain holy books, Agams are read and homes and temples are illuminated. Lamps are lit under the moonlight sky and a family feast celebrates this day. Jains celebrate it by visiting 'Palitana' one of the most famous Jain pilgrimage places.
During this festival, people also flock to the Annamali Hills to worship the 'Bharani Deepam'. A huge lamp is lit early in the morning on the final day of the festival in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. It is said that the flame of the lame does not flicker on this day and reveals the form of Lord Muruga, reaching up to the sky. The lighting of the beacon on the top of the hill is the finale of ten days of merriment in the town.
When the light on the top of the Tiruvannamalai Hill is unveiled on the Kartigai Deepam day, people see the big light and worship it. They recite again and again in a loud voice “Harohara”. The esoteric meaning is that he who sees the light of lights that is burning eternally in the chambers of his heart through constant meditation attains immortality. The light on the Arunachala brings the message to you that the Self or Lord Shiva is self-effulgent, He is the light of lights.On the Kartika Deepam day in South India, people make bonfires in front of temples in the evening. It is said that Lord Shiva burnt the chariots of several demons who were torturing sages and celestials. This bonfire symbolises this legend.
People place rows of earthen lamps in front of their houses on the evening of Kartigai Deepam and worship the Lord. They also light a variety of fireworks to Annihilate the three impurities, namely, egoism, selfish action and delusion. Burn the mind, senses and the desires in the fire of knowledge of the Self or Shiva-Jnanam. Attain full illumination and behold the light of lights, which illumines the mind, intellect, sun, moon, stars, lightning and the fire. This is real Kartika Deepam. As is the theme of all festivals this one also celebrates the victory of Good over Evil.
There was a demon king by the name of Tripurasuran. He was troubling all the Devas and humans. He had a boon that he could be killed only if someone kills him through all the three forts he had built around him. On this Karthigai Purnima day, Lord Shiva killed him with his Trishoola (trident spear) which pierced all the three forts. So, this is a day to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
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