Karthigai Deepam 2019
December 10, 2019, Tuesday
Introduction to Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam is a light festival celebrated during the Full Moon evening in the Tamil month of Karthigai (mid-Nov to mid-Dec) when the Moon is in the star Krittika or Kirthigai. Astronomically, this star is known as Alcyone, and it is the brightest star in the Pleiades constellation. This festival is celebrated with more fervor in South India.
Significance of Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam is an ancient festival, which is celebrated for Lord Shiva and his son Muruga. Lighting of lamps forms an integral ritual of this festival. Lighting of lamps also has a spiritual significance on this day. The wick in the lamp symbolizes our ego, the oil in the lamp denotes our inborn nature that cultures the ego and the flame signifies the spiritual wisdom that can inflame the ego (wick) by burning out the innate behavior (oil). Therefore, the lighting of the lamps represents the victory of good over evil. On Karthigai Deepam, people light lamps in their houses to usher in prosperity and auspiciousness in their lives and ward off negativities and evil forces.
Mythology behind Karthigai Deepam Karthigai Deepam
There are several legends associated with Karthigai Deepam.
According to sacred texts, Lords Brahma and Vishnu were discussing on who is supreme amongst them. To teach them a lesson and prove his supremacy above everyone, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of an infinite fire and asked them both to find the top and bottom of the fire. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew towards the top, whereas Vishnu burrowed towards the bottom of the fire in the form of a boar. However, both of them failed in their efforts and understood the supremacy of Lord Shiva above all. It is believed that Lord Shiva later appeared as a massive fire hill called as Arunachala. To commemorate this mythological event, a holy fire is lit in a huge lamp, every year on Karthigai Deepam.
According to another legend, on Karthigai Deepam, Lord Muruga who was born as six flames from the third eye of Lord Shiva and nurtured by the Karthigai Pengal (six maidens) as six beautiful babies, who were unified by Goddess Parvati to a single boy with six faces called Shanmuga.
Deepam also hails the victory of Goddess Parvati over the demon Mahishasura by lighting lamps, festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil, both on spiritual and material fronts.
Rituals of Karthigai Deepam
On Karthigai Deepam, people clean their houses and decorate the doorstep with beautiful rangolis (drawings). Clay lamps of various sizes and patterns are lit around the house and on the rangolis to welcome the divine. Special delicacies are cooked and offered to the Lord during the Pooja. People celebrate the day by wearing new clothes, visiting their family & friends and bursting crackers with joy. Deepam is often considered as an extension of Diwali in South India.
On this auspicious day, a huge lamp is lit in a massive earthen lamp on the holy hill of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. This occasion is celebrated with grandeur for ten days to revere Lord Shiva, who took the form of an infinite fire. Worshipping him on this day can destroy your ego, pride, greediness, and delusion.
Benefits of Observing Karthigai Deepam
Worshipping Lord Shiva and warrior-god Muruga on Karthigai Deepam can bestow the following benefits upon you:
Remove darkness in the form of negativities
Bestow auspiciousness, prosperity, and happiness
Fulfillment of wishes
Put an end to worries and help attain inner peace
Vanquish pride and self-centeredness
