Karthigai Deeepam, or Karthika Deepam, is the festival of lights in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, it is observed on the full moon day in the month of Karthigai (November-December). In Kerala, the festival is known as Trikartika or Kartika Vilaku and is held in the month of Vrichikam (November – December). The star Krithika also has significance in the observation of this festival and so takes the name Krithika Deepotsava or Thirukkarthikkai. Others observe this in the lunar month of Karthika or Margashira, on the full-moon day (Poornima) or next, hence the name Karthika Poornima. Karthigai Deeepam is also known as Bharani Deepam and Vishnu Deepam in Tamil Nadu and is an auspicious day for both Shaivites and Vaishanvites.
During the Karthika month, there is a natural awakening of the centers of knowledge in the body, so it is considered a favorable month for gaining knowledge and is special for Shiva, the lord of knowledge. This is more so if the day falls on Monday. Mrigasira is special for Vishnu, as he himself declares it as his glory in the Geetha. Again, the environment, during this month, naturally facilitates the practices leading to God realization. The lighting of the lamp on the trash is to remind us that God pervades everything without exception. This year, Thiru Karthigai falls on 2nd Dec 2017.
This year, Thiru Karthigai falls on 2nd Dec 2017.
Karthigai Deepam Muhurat
Begins = 01:20:57 on 03-Dec-2017
Ends = 21:40:16 on 03-Dec-2017
The festival of lights celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of Karthigai (November-December). Not many of us are aware that it is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the State, perhaps even before people began celebrating Deepavali and Navarathri. Also, unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country. This is somewhat similar to the North Indian’s “Bhai Duj” wherein sister pray for the wellbeing for their siblings and brothers.
One of the earliest references to the festival is found in ’Ahananuru,’ 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 Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of yore, refers to the festival in her poems.
Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The light emitting 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.
Story
Once Brahma and Vishnu due to the ego started arguing with each other ” who is the greatest”. Both claimed to be the greatest, instead of doing their duty. At that time the God Shiva appeared in the form of fire and told them whoever finds the top or bottom of the fire is the greatest. Brahma took the form of Annam (a bird) and tried to find the top of the frle pillar. Vishnu took the form of Varaha( giant pig) and tried to see the bottom of the pillar. As the God has no limit in his size or power, both of them could not see either top or bottom of the fire. When their ego went down and they prayed the God, He appeared before them. The day in which the God appeared as a pillar of fire is Thirukarthigai/Karthigai Deepam.
Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai’ and `Arunachala’ translate as `holy fire hill.’ The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.
This vradha indicates the non measurable infiniteness of the God and shows that the God is the light that will drive away our ignorance. Lamps are lit in the houses to pray His “Jyothi Swarupam”.
First day of this festival is called as “Appakarthigai” and the second day is called as “vadai karthigai”. All devotees will offer pori,adhirasam,vella Seedai, vetrilai pakku,fruits as neivedhyam for God Shiva.
In down South of Tamilnadu and in Kerala, Hindus will pray god for goodness of their brothers and they will light a elephant lamp(Gajalakshmi Vilaku) which marks as a sign of prosperity and wealth. The story behind lighting elephant lamp(Gajalakshmi Vilaku) is given below.
Story of the Elephant lamp
Once upon a time there lived a King and he had only one daughter. She loved an elephant which grew with her and she considered the elephant as her own brother. After her marriage she missed her brother elephant very much. So for every Thirukarthigai/Karthigai deepam occasion, she will light elephant lamp(Gajalakshmi vilaku) and she will prepare tender coconut, elephant leg size milagu Milagu Adai, Pori,Adhirasam,Vella Seedai and keep them as neivedhyam for this festival.
So we on this auspicious occassion all devotees should chant the following lines
Yaanai Vaazha
Arasan Vaazha
Penn Vaazha
Piranthagam Vaazha
and put one piece of pori in the lamp and perform the pooja along with neivedhyam
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