Karthigai Deepam, a Tamil festival of lights, is celebrated on Pournami (the full moon day) in the Tamil month Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December). In Tamil, ‘Deepam’ means light or lamp. This festival is known as Karthigai Deepam as it is celebrated in Karthigai. It is also known as the “festival of lights”, which is one of the oldest Tamil festivals.
The Story behind Karthigai Deepam
According to legend, Lord Brahma and Vishu argued over who was supreme. To resolve their dispute, Lord Shiva appeared before them as an endless and formless fire, a Jyotirlinga, stretching beyond the sky and beneath the earth. Vishnu incarnated as a boar and dug downward, while Brahma flew upward as a swan, but neither could find where the other began or ended. They eventually accepted that Lord Shiva’s nature was beyond measure.
This event is known as Lingodbhava, and that is how Lord Shiva is worshipped as fire on Arunachala Hill at Tiruvannamalai. Hence, people call the temple’s Lingam ‘Agni Lingam '. Tiruvannamalai is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, temples representing the five elements, and it stands for Agni (fire). The Maha Deepam lit on Arunachala Hill every Karthigai Deepam is a re-enactment of that original column of flame every year.
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Why is Karthigai also connected with Murugan?
According to legend, Krittikai stars (Karthigai) are connected with six celestial mothers who raised the infant Murugan, before Parvati conjoined him into a single form with six faces. That is why devotees and temples honour Lord Murugan during Karthigai Deepam, even though the Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam is significantly dedicated to Shiva.
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How is Karthigai Deepam celebrated at Tiruvannamalai?
The Arunachaleswarar or Annamalaiyar Temple celebrates Karthigai Deepam for ten days:
- The festival opens with flag-hoisting at the temple.
- The temple lights a Bharani Deepam before the main day.
- On the full moon evening, the temple lights a Maha Deepam atop Arunachala hill, traditionally fuelled with a very large quantity of ghee and a long wick, and lit by the hereditary temple family. The holy flame is visible for miles and burns through the night.
- Lakhs of devotees gather for Giri Valam, walking barefoot for 14 kms circling the base of the holy hill. Devotees perform Giri Valam on every full moon, but the one on Karthigai Deepam night is considered the most significant of the year.
Karthigai Deepam 2026 Key Dates
Bharani Deepam: 23 November 2026, Monday
Karthigai Deepam (Main day): 24 November 2026, Tuesday
Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill: 24 November 2026
Tiruvannamalai Brahmotsavam: 15 - 24 November 2026 (Ten days)
