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| Home » Mind Body & Soul » Celebration » Karthigai Deepam : The festival of lights |
| Karthigai Deepam : The festival of lights |
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Karthigai Deepam: An Ancient Festival
Karthigai Deepam is celebrated in the Tamil 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 Navratri and Deepavali.
Unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai Deepam is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country. Not only is it one of the most important festivals of the State, but it is also one of the most elaborately celebrated festivals of Tamil Nadu.
Here, people celebrate Karthigai Deepam for three days. One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the "Ahananuru", a book of poems 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 of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of the Sangam Age refers to the festival in her songs.
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Karthigai Deepam: An Interesting Festival
Legend of Siva
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were quarrelling as to who was the most powerful of the two. In order to teach them a lesson, Lord Siva appeared before them and asked them to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Meanwhile, he transformed himself into a huge pillar of fire. Accordingly Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. Even after searching for many years, they were not able to find the ends of the pillar. Accepting their defeat, they prayed to Lord Siva that the blazing pillar should establish itself as a Hill (Thiruvannamalai), and that Lord Siva should take the form of a Lingam on the east of the Hill. They entreated that as a remembrance of the Greatness of Lord Siva, a Jyothi should appear every year on the top of the Hill during the time of Karthigai (i.e. the period of the Deepam). That is how this festival came to be known as Annamalai Deepam. Thiruvannamalai, near Chennai is the key temple of the festival. Here, a special torch is lighted on the zenith of the Hill and it is believed that Lord Siva's Jyothi will be visible on this day.
Legend of Muruga
Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthigai month which coincides with the Krithigai Star. The month of Karthigai is of special importance to the Tamil people, which derives its name from the star "Krithigai". It was in this month that Lord Siva created Lord Muruga from his Divine Light. Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai." On this day, all his six forms were united by his mother Parvathi, and he became "Arumugan" (the form with six faces). Special pujas are performed for Lord Muruga on this day. Lord Muruga is worshipped as the reigning deity of Tamil Nadu.
Karthigai Deepam: An Extended Deepavali
Karthigai Deepam is also considered as the extension of the Deepavali festival. In some houses, people double the number of lamps everyday from the day of Deepavali and this way they end with a number of lamps on the day of Karthigai Deepam. Children keep aside some of their Deepavali crackers, which is then burst on Karthigai Deepam. Rows of "Agal vilakkus" (lighted diyas) in front of every house....this is the image that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam ' the festival of lights. On this day, people clean their houses and draw big, colorful "Kolams" (Rangoli) in front of the house and also place some lamps on it. The "Agals" are placed in the puja room. After lighting them and performing the "Deeparathana" (worshipping of lights) they are moved to different places in the house. The lamps are arranged near the door and windows and also in the balconies. During the festival, fluffed rice and jaggery are mixed and rolled to balls and offered to God.
Karthigai Deepam: An illuminating Festival
Karthigai Deepam is known for the variety of lamps lit in all sizes, shapes and colors. Traditionally, lamps were placed in temples and "Agal vilakkus" would adorn the courtyards and open spaces in front of the house. Bigger lamps that were placed inside the house were made of metal, stone and mud. The ancient Tamils are said to have even imported lamps from as far as Greece and Rome. One such popular variety of imported lamps was a hanging type which has the design of a swan with a fish placed at the top. The most popular variety of lamp which is very common in Tamil Nadu from the early times is the "Lakshmi Vilakku" or "Pavai Vilakku." It was shaped like a maiden bearing in her folded palms the shallow bowl containing oil for lighting the lamp.
Recent changes in lifestyle and tastes have brought about changes in the lamps used for the festival. Until recently, the humble "Agal vilakku" was used to be brought to the doorstep by the maker of the lamp himself. People used to purchase his fragile wares in dozens. Now, times have changed and they are packed in attractive, colorful boxes and are sold at prestigious department stores. People also buy them from handicrafts emporia and from the annual lamp exhibitions organized all over the city to coincide with the festival. For the younger generation, even lamps call for style statement and they go for designer clay lamp, coming in exotic shapes and are often decorated with painted beads and zari work. Gone are the days when lamps were only meant to be seen. Now they have to breathe their existence. Thus, the current craze is the scented candles, which are designed in the form of "Agal vilakkus"
Karthigai Deepam: AN Unique Festival
Karthigai Deepam is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted 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.
Let the light of the karthigai deepam dispel the ignorance, gloom and suffering from our midst and let it bring peace, happiness and prosperity to one and all.
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