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Light up this Karthigai
 It is not just in Tiruvannamalai that a jothi (light) is lit during Karthigai Deepam. This practice has been followed even at a hillock found at Elambalur village, in Perambalur, on the Chennai-Tiruchi Highway. A disciple of Kakkabujandar Thalayatti Siddhar and the founder of the Maha Siddhargal Trust, Chennai, Annai Siddhar S Rajkumar Swamigal, has been sustaining this ritual for several years now.
Since the trust believes in the existence of 210 Siddhars and that the Elambalur hill is the abode of all these Siddhars (it is called the Brahma Rishi Malai), the Karthigai Deepam is celebrated with light and sound.The wick is 210 metres long, the trust uses 210 kg of ghee, it distributes 210 kg of ‘chakkara pongal’, 210 kg of sundal and 210 kg of lemon rice as prasadam, and it sets off 210 fireworks.
 The prasadam is actually annadanam and the trustees are ready to feed any number of people who come to participate in the wonderful festival that will be celebrated this year on December 7 at 6 p.m.The trust is being guided in the festival by a whole host of people, including the joint commissioner and executive officer of Srirangam, P Sivakumar, and Perambalur district officials.
The trust welcomes donations in the form of money (there is IT exemption under 80-G), ghee or foodstuff for this festival that draws thousands of people from the nearby areas and Tiruchi.“We welcome not just donations. We would like all those who read this to be there with us to experience this wonderful evening and receive the blessings of all the 210 Siddhars,” says Rajkumar
Swamigal.
Donations may be sent to:
Maha Siddhargal Trust,
3, K K Salai, Pillaiyar Koil Street,
Saligramam, Chennai – 600 093.
Ph: 23763130/55297482.
S Chitra
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