கார்த்திகை தீபம்
Karthigai Deepam
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Karthigai Deepam is the Tamil festival of lights, older than Deepavali in Tamil tradition. The highlight is the lighting of the Mahadeepam (giant lamp) on Thiruvannamalai hill visible for miles.
Significance
Celebrates Lord Shiva manifesting as an infinite pillar of light (Jyotirlinga). The lighting of lamps symbolizes the dispelling of darkness and ignorance.
Rituals & traditions
Home Lighting· வீட்டு விளக்கு
Evening
Lighting rows of oil lamps at home and streets
Thiruvannamalai Deepam· திருவண்ணாமலை மகா தீபம்
Full moon evening
Lighting of giant lamp on Arunachala hill
Girivalam· கிரிவலம்
Full moon night
Circumambulating Arunachala hill (14 km)
How to celebrate
Light agal vilakku (oil lamps) throughout house, verandah, and streets. Visit Thiruvannamalai for Mahadeepam. Perform Girivalam barefoot. Prepare special dishes like Karthigai Adai.
When it happens
Full moon day in Karthigai month (November-December)
Tags
- #karthigai
- #deepam
- #lights
- #thiruvannamalai
- #arunachala
- #shiva
- #girivalam