Karthigai Deepam 2025 - Decemeber

Legends

The Karthigai Deepam festival is rich in legends and mythological stories. Here are some of the most popular legends associated with the festival:

1. The Divine Flame of Lord Shiva

Legend: The most widely known legend behind Karthigai Deepam involves a cosmic debate among the Hindu trinity of Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer). According to this story, Brahma and Vishnu were debating who among them was the greatest deity. To resolve this, Lord Shiva manifested himself as an enormous, fiery column of light, which extended infinitely in both directions. Brahma and Vishnu were asked to find the top and the bottom of this column. Vishnu failed, while Brahma lied and claimed to have found the top by presenting a flower he claimed had grown from the top of the column. To punish Brahma for his deceit, Shiva cursed him so that he would not be worshiped as a deity. Vishnu, on the other hand, was blessed for his honesty.

2. The Story of Karthigai Deivam

Legend: Another story relates to the significance of the Karthigai star, which is believed to be connected to Lord Murugan (Karthikeyan). According to the legend, after the birth of Lord Murugan, the six Krittikas (Pleiades stars) nursed him. The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in honor of this connection between Lord Murugan and the Krittikas.

3. The Legend of the Sacred Mountain

Legend: In this story, the Karthigai Deepam festival is connected to the sacred mountain of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva manifested himself as a towering column of fire atop this mountain to demonstrate his supreme form to the universe. To commemorate this divine manifestation, a huge beacon light is lit on top of the Arunachala Hill during the festival.

4. The Victory of Light Over Darkness

Legend: Karthigai Deepam is also celebrated as a symbol of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. According to this belief, lighting lamps and diyas during the festival symbolizes the dispelling of darkness and ignorance, and the triumph of divine knowledge and virtue.

5. The Story of the Demon Andhakasura

Legend: In some traditions, Karthigai Deepam is also linked to the defeat of the demon Andhakasura. The demon Andhakasura was vanquished by Lord Shiva, and the festival is celebrated to commemorate this victory.

6. The Legend of the Karthigai Stars

Legend: According to another legend, on the day of Karthigai Deepam, the Karthigai stars are believed to descend to the Earth and bless devotees with prosperity and health. This belief is celebrated by performing special pujas and lighting lamps.

Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai". On this day, Parvati (his mother) united all his six forms and so Lord Muruga has six faces. Special pujas are performed to Lord Muruga on this day.

Celebrations

• Deepam: The central ritual involves lighting oil lamps (deepams) at homes, temples, and public spaces. The sight of the numerous lamps symbolizes the divine light dispelling darkness and ignorance.
• Temples: Special ceremonies and rituals are conducted in temples, including the lighting of a large flame or "Deepam" on the top of the hill in some places, such as the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai.
• Family Gatherings: Families come together to celebrate, perform rituals, and enjoy festive meals.

Cultural Practices

• Lamp Lighting: People place lamps in their homes and around their premises.
• Festive Foods: Traditional foods and sweets are prepared for the occasion, including dishes like adhirasam (sweet doughnut-like treats) and pongal (a rice-based dish).

Regional Variations

• While Karthigai Deepam is most widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, it is also observed in other parts of South India with some regional variations in the way it is celebrated.

Antiquity:

Karthigai Deepam is the oldest festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Southern India, even before Diwali and Navarathri celebrations. The reference of Karthigai Deepam can be found in many ancient Tamil literatures like ‘Ahananuru’ (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.) ‘Tolkappiyam that dates back to 2,000 or 2,500 BC, Jeevakachintamani , an epic written by Jain poet, Thiruthakka Thevar, in the Sangam period, Karnarpadu, Kalavazhi Narpadu dating around 1,000 BC and Pazhamozhi , even the famous poetess Avaiyyar, also mentions about the festival in her literary work.

Like Diwali, there is general practice of cleaning houses and decking up houses beautifully with stunning illuminations and multihued Kolams or Rangoli. People place lamps or Agal in their puja room and place them at different places in the house after the completion of Deeparathana (puja). The streets provide visual treat on this festival with lamps all around.

Celebrations:

Preparations

• Cleaning and Decorating: Homes and temples are thoroughly cleaned and decorated. People use vibrant rangoli (kolam) designs made from rice flour, colored powders, or flower petals at the entrance of their homes.
• Buying Lamps and Oil: Special oil lamps (deepams) are purchased or prepared in advance. These lamps are often made from clay or metal.

2. Lighting the Lamps

• Lamp Placement: On the day of the festival, families light oil lamps in their homes, around their premises, and in public spaces. These lamps are arranged in rows or circles, and some people create elaborate displays.
• Temple Rituals: In temples, a large ceremonial lamp or beacon is lit on the highest point of the temple complex. This symbolizes the divine light of Lord Shiva.

3. Temple Activities

• Special Pujas: Temples hold special pujas (rituals) and ceremonies dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees gather to participate in these rituals and offer prayers.
• Processions: In some temples, there are grand processions where deities are carried through the streets on decorated chariots or palanquins.

4. Family Gatherings

• Offering Prayers: Families come together for prayer sessions. They perform aarti (ritual of waving lighted lamps) and sing devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Festive Meals: Special dishes and sweets are prepared for the festival. Traditional foods include adhirasam (sweet doughnut-like treats), pongal (rice-based dish), and appam (rice pancakes).

5. Lighting the Karthigai Deepam

• Special Deepam: On the evening of Karthigai Deepam, the main event is the lighting of a large beacon or deepam. In the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, a huge lamp is lit on the top of Arunachala Hill, which is visible from miles around.

6. Community Celebrations

• Fairs and Events: In some regions, local fairs are organized where people can buy festival-related goods, enjoy traditional performances, and participate in community activities.
• Cultural Programs: There may be cultural programs including classical dance performances, music concerts, and storytelling sessions about the legends of Karthigai Deepam.

7. Observances and Traditions

• Fast and Penance: Some devotees observe a fast on Karthigai Deepam, refraining from food or consuming only simple, sattvic meals.
• Prayers for Health and Prosperity: Devotees pray for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. The lighting of lamps symbolizes the dispelling of ignorance and the illumination of the path to spiritual enlightenment.

8. Post-Festival Activities

• Disposal of Lamps: After the festival, the lamps used for the celebrations are carefully disposed of. In some traditions, the oil from the lamps is used for the sacred purpose of treating plants or is poured into a river.

Visuals of Karthigai Deepam Celebrations

Here are some visuals that capture the essence of Karthigai Deepam:

• Rows of Diyas: Traditional oil lamps lit in rows or patterns.
• Temple Lights: The grand illumination of temples with special decorations and large lamps.
• Processions: Colorful processions with deities and festive decorations.
• Rangoli Designs: Beautifully crafted kolams at the entrance of homes.

Festive Foods for Karthigai Deepam

• Adhirasam: Sweet doughnut-like treats made from rice flour and jaggery.
• Pongal: A savory rice dish cooked with spices, lentils, and sometimes coconut.
• Karthigai Pori: Puff rice mixed with jaggery and sesame seeds.
• Appam: Rice-based pancakes, often served with a variety of side dishes.

Time for Celebration:

The festival of Lights, Karthigai Deepam is observed in November or December. The burning lamp with the divine flame is considered an auspicious symbol and believed to fend off evil forces and escort ecstasy and prosperity.

According to Tamil calendar the festival falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai. Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthigai month which coincides with the Krithigai Star. Even the name Karithigai of this month was also derived based on the name of the star Krithigai. The month of Karthigai is of special importance as it is believed that Lord Muruga, the divine light of Lord Shiva, took his form during this month.