Tiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam is a significant festival which is observed in the Tamil month of Karthigai on full moon day. Throughout the month, people light lamps in front of their house and on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam, the entire house is decorated with oil lamps. This time, the festival is being observed on 2nd December 2017.
Image Source: Tamil News
Much like Dusshehra, it’s a 10-day festival that is celebrated with grand pomp and show. Followed by flag hoisting and a series of processions on each day, the 10th day is observed as the main day for celebration. It starts in the early hours around 4 o’clock when Bharani Deepam is lit at the Arunachaleshwar temple. In the evening, around 6o’clcok, the Mahadeepam is lit at the top of the hill which visually represents the temple in the form of Agni.
Image Source: Deccan Chronicles
A huge gathering of devotees takes place at the Arunachaleshwar temple to witness the glorious and sacred festival. In the night, a procession of Lord Periya Nayagar on the Rishabh Vahanam made of gold that is carried out with a spectacular setup. The glory of the festivals comes to a beautiful end with devotees taking back memorable moments and blessings back home.
Image Source: The Hindu
Talking about this year, the celebrations have already started with great zeal. A total of 1600 tickets were made available online while the Madras High Court allowed 2,500 devotees have been allowed to the top of the Annamalai Hill to witness the Karthigai Deepam Darshan.
