Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam is the most important festival celebrated by most Tamil Hindus. According to the Tamil solar calendar, Karthigai Deepam Day is always celebrated in the month of Karthikai, during the full moon day when the Karthigai Nakshatra coincides with Pournami. According to astronomy, the brightest star in the constellation of Pleiades is known as Alcyone. In southern India, this festival is most commonly celebrated. This festival is celebrated with names like Thrikkarthika, Kartik Purnima, Deva-Diwali, or Deva-Deepawali.
In 2023, Karthigai Deepam would fall on Nov 26, 2023. Karthigai Deepam 2023 timing is as below:
\Karthigai Nakshathram Begins - 09:35 AM on Nov 26, 2023
Karthigai Nakshathram Ends - 09:05 AM on Nov 27, 2023
Significance of Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam is one of the ancient festivals celebrated in the name of Lord Shiva and his son Muruga. The lighting of lamps is a significant ritual of this festival. Lamp illumination has spiritual significance on this day as well. This festival is celebrated for ten days at Thiruvannamalai temple. Lighting the lamp symbolizes the burning of our ego and spreading the light of happiness everywhere. The illumination of the lamps thus represents the supremacy of good over evil. On Karthigai Deepam, people celebrate by lighting lamps in their homes, which signifies happiness and goodwill.
The mythology behind Karthigai Deepam
When Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma declared themselves superior and supreme, Lord Shiva came in the form of fire and told them both to reach the top and bottom of the flames to demonstrate their superiority of himself. At that time, Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and decided to reach the bottom of the fire under the earth. However, he failed and apologized to Lord Siva, stating he could not get to the bottom of the fire.
On the other hand, Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and flew to the top of the fire. He also could not reach the top of the fire. Through this, Lord Shiva managed to stop the fight between Lord Vishnu and Brahma. Lord Shiva has proved himself to be the primary God of the earth. He then emerged as a hill form in the Thiruvannamalai area. Indeed, these names Tiruvannamalai and Arunachala, referred to as "Holy Fire Hill" Later, a Lord Siva temple came up on the hill.
There is another story on Thiruvannamalai Deepam connected to Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga took the shape of six babies in a Saravana Poigai lake, and six krittika stars cared for them. On this day, Goddess Parvathy unified Skantda's six forms. So, Lord Karthikeya has six faces and is formally known in Tamil culture as Aarumugan.
Where else can you go to enjoy festivities related to Karthigai Deepam?
1. Diwali in Gujarat
In Gujarat, people consider the day of Diwali as the end of the year. So, you can visualize how beautiful their eve celebrations on Diwali must be. Like most Hindus on Diwali, Gujaratis also worship Goddess Lakshmi with traditional rangolis and diyas.
2. Diwali in Punjab
The Punjab Diwali festival marks the beginning of winter, and people will plan for the winter crops and harvest. On this day, Hindus in Punjab also worship Lakshmi, and the Sikhs celebrate the festival with exceptional grace and dignity at gurudwaras, particularly at Amritsar's Golden Temple.
3. Kali Puja in Bengal
In Bengal, Kali puja is known as Shyama Puja, which corresponds with Diwali. Nevertheless, unlike Diwali festivities, this puja takes place at night according to the traditional Tantric Hindu rituals. Kali is decorated with hibiscus flowers, fruit, meat, and other offerings. The celebration will reach a new height in Kolkata at the Kalighat and Dakshineswar temples.
4. Dipawali in Maharashtra
Diwali is celebrated for four days in Maharashtra. The first day is Vasubaras and is marked with the presentation of an Aarti to cows and calves. This refers to a mother's love for her child. The following day is Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi, celebrated in the same manner as in other regions. On the 3rd day, Narakchaturdashi, people take an early morning scented oil bath and visit a temple. The Maharashtrians then feast on a special Diwali preparation consisting of tasty sweets such as "karanji" and "ladoo" and spicy foods such as "chakli" and "sev." Lakshmi Puja is performed on the fourth day. Goddess Lakshmi and wealth, such as money and jewellery, are worshipped at every home.
Be a part of the Tiruvannamalai Deepam festival in 2023! Experience the best of the Karthigai Deepam festival by going to Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu for Karthigai Deepam with redBus. If you want to see and participate in the festivities, redBus is the right platform. redBus offers you the most extensive number of bus travel options across thousands of routes. Choose from over 1500 operators and select the one you want to travel by according to the timing, boarding point, reviews, and ratings by previous passengers. With redBus, you can reach the place on time and celebrate Karthigai Deepam like never before.
The Patteeswarar Temple in Perur and the Subramaniyaswami Temple in Marudhamalai will not allow devotees to enter the temples between 4:40 and 6:30 pm.
If you're looking to travel to Karthigai Deepam venues and are worried about safe travel, you can choose the Primo service launched by redBus. Primo is where passengers can enjoy travelling in high-rated buses with best-in-class services. While looking for bus tickets on the desired route, customers can check the Primo tag to choose this excellent service. From hygiene standards to on-time service and comfort, there are many benefits that passengers can get from Primo buses.
