|
 South India, particularly TamilNadu, celebrates the full moon day in the month
of Karthigai as a festival of lights. North India celebrates Diwali as a festival
of lights.
Fluffed rice and jaggery are mixed
and rolled into balls and offered to God. It is believed that worshipping light as God
unites the people.
Thiruvannamalai, one of the pancha bootha kshetras is an
agni (fire) kheshtra. On Karthigai Deepam day, a huge vessel is filled with oil and
gigantic wicks are lit on top of the hill.
The tribals who live in Thiruvannamalai hills, fast for 40
days and light the lamp as only they have the right to light it. Once the deepam is lit,
on top of the hill, the Sanctum Sanctorum is closed.
The other well known/famous ritual followed in
Thiruvannamalai is circumnavigating the hill which has a diameter of nine miles. Devotees
attach great importance to this ritual. There is a widespread belief that people who
circumnavigate the hill are blessed by Lord Shiva.
The day after the "deepam" all the dieties in the
temple are taken around the hill. This is known as Athma Pradhakshinam. On this day
the entire town is on fast and no restaurant or any outlet serves food, whatever price one
is prepared to pay!
The other temple where Karthigai is celebrated in a grand
manner is the Swamimalai Temple (one of the six abodes (Aaru Padai Veedu) of
Lord Muruga.
In various Shiva temples too, people worship the Lord by
lighting lamps. |
