Krittikai Deepam

Krittikai Deepam also known as Karthigai Deepam festival, the festival of lamps, is one of the oldest of Tamil festivals. The festival is observed in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Kerala, this festival is known as Thrikkarthika. ‘Deepam’ means light and ‘Karthigai’ stands for the Tamil month. Puranas says that the holy place of Tiruvannamalai is one of the panchabhootas representing the element of fire. It is called Agnishetra as it was the supreme Lord Shiva who manifested as an eternal column of light before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The Linga form of Lord Shiva in the temple is called Agni Linga.

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated in the Tamil Solar month of ‘Karthigai’ (October-November) when Krittikai nakshatra prevails during evening time.

Legend

Legend of Lord Shiva (Arunachaleshwara) in Thiruvannamalai, has a special significance with regards to the celebration of Karthigai Deepam. Lord Brahma and Vishnu were arguing over supremacy of each one`s powers. At that time the God Shiva appeared as an endless flame of light and told them whoever finds the top or bottom of the light is the greatest. Brahma took the form of Annam (swan) to find the top of the light and Vishnu took the form of Varaha (boar) and tried to see the bottom of the light. They could neither see the top or bottom of the light. When their ego went down and they prayed, Lord Shiva appeared before them. The day when Lord Shiva appeared as a pillar of light is Thirukarthigai/Karthigai Deepam. The light stands there as a form of a hill (Arunachala hill) and worshipped every year on this day, to drive away the dark forces from our lives and invite the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Also the birth of Lord Murugan holds special significance to the celebration of Krittikai Deepam festival. It was on this day that Lord Karthikeya who first incarnated as six infants from six sparks which emerged from the third eye of Lord Shiva was conjoined into one with the embrace of Goddess Parvati. This day is also regarded as extremely auspicious for devotees of Lord Muruga as he was taken care by the 6 Krittika stars and the celebrations on Karthigai commemorates his Divine birth.

Significance of Krittikai Deepam

The festival is celebrated for three days. The first day is called Appa Karthikai, the second Vadai Karthikai and the final day is called Thiru Karthigai, when the main pooja is performed. Prior to the Pooja, the houses are cleaned and washed completely. The entrance as well as the interior of the house, is decorated with kolams (rangoli patterns) drawn with wet rice flour. In the evening, the entire house is lighted with beautiful Agal vilakku (Clay Oil lamps). More lamps are lit in front of the houses, in the courtyard were they are placed on Kolams (Rangolis). A beacon of light is lit atop the Arunachala hill and worshipped every year. Some regard it as Sri Chakra and Saints like Sambandar have told in their poems that the light seen on top of the mountain on this day is Arunachala himself. It is on this sacred hill that the Mahadeepam is lit on the day of Karthigai deepam festival. The divine energies of Shiva emitted in the form of light are radiated all over the cosmos. It is said that a mere sight of this holy light is enough to burn away the heaps of bad karma accumulated over several births. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire Linga.

Spiritual Significance of Krittikai Deepam

The spiritual significance of celebrating Karthigai Deepam festival is symbolized in the functioning of a lamp. The wick in the lamp symbolizes ego. The oil used to light the lamp symbolizes the inborn tendencies in one, which is responsible for the ego to thrive. The flame of the lamp symbolizes spiritual knowledge, which burns the oil as it also burns the ego. Through this one attains the spiritual goal, the realization of the ultimate truth. Furthermore, the little flames of different lamps symbolize the essence of universal oneness. When impurities (Ego, selfish action, delusion etc.) is destroyed and when the senses and desires are burned in the fire of knowledge of the Self, the full illumination happens. This is the real Karthigai Deepam. When the light on the top of the Tiruvannamalai hill is unveiled on the Karthigai Deepam day, people see the big light and worship it. The esoteric meaning is that one who sees the light of lights that is burning eternally in the chambers of his heart through constant meditation attains immortality. The light on the Arunachala brings the message that self or Lord Shiva is full of Light.