Karthigai Deepam is indeed a festival of light and lamps. The festival is grandly celebrated at the Thiruvanamalai hill, where the people prepare the great deepam or lamp of oil. The flame of this lamp represents the Shiva avatar of a burning flame. People from all the corners of India and especially South India come to witness this flame and pray to Lord Shiva.
Doing so frees the devotees from all fear and gives them courage; the flame also represents knowledge. Hence people celebrate this festival with great fervor. The celebration of this day is related to a great legend.
The Importance of Worshipping Shiva on Karthigai
Shiva is the protector of the Universe, and he is also the destroyer. Shiva is the deity who helps people cut their karmic cycle and become free from the cycle of life and death. When people visit the flame on Karthigai and pray to Shiva, they get free from the bad karma, and hence they progress in their journey on a soul level.
The festival of Karthigai deepam Festival is one significant festival in Tamil Nadu that people have been celebrating since the Sangam era. Even many sages have mentioned Karthigai in their work, such as Tamil poems in the literature. Lord Shiva is also worshipped as “Adi Sitthar” or “Adi Yogi” in Tamil Nadu.
The Festival of Light in Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai is one such hill where devotees feel the essence of Shiva. There are many places in this world that are mentioned in the legends, and these places are related to deities somehow. Not everything in this world can be explained and scientifically proven. This world always holds a mystery, and there are things that will always remain unsolved.
God is one such thing that people can't see with their eyes but feel in their souls. Tiruvannamalai hill is the place where the legend of Lord Shiva happened, and he came into the avatar of a giant flame. Hence people visit here to witness the giant flame and to remember and honor the legend. Tiruvannamalai is one such holy place where people feel that Lord Shiva is there.
The magnificent doesn't get its fuel just from the butter and wick, but it is the staunch devotion of people that keeps it illuminating, and it will always be like this till we exist. The path to reach the hill is convenient now without any fear of wild animals, which was there a few years ago.
Lord Karthikeya in Tamil Literature
The day is also related to Lord Muruga, who is a prime deity in Tamil Nadu. The month Karthigai is considered his birth month, and the day is also celebrated as the birthday of Lord Muruga. In Sangam Literature, we can find mentions about Lord Muruga or Karthikeya. Ahanananuru 141 depicts how lamps were lit on the evening of Karthikai Full Moon Day.
“Natrinai” 202 describes the month as the most favorable for doing all virtues and increase good karma. People also observe fasting on Karthigai deepam and visit the lamps that are lit in the mountain.
Legend of Karthigai
The flame is Lord Shiva as he appeared as a flame before Lord Brahma and Vishnu when they were fighting over who is the supreme. He appeared as a flame in the place Thiruvanamalai.
Lord Muruga is also related to this day as he was born by the six fiery sparks of Lor Shiva. These sparks took the forms of six babies, which were taken care of by the Karthikai girls or celestial maidens. Karthikai girls are the same Karthikai constellation which can still be seen in the sky.
When Mata Parvati got to know about these six babies, she converted them into one, and Lord Muruga came into life. Since then, this month, Karthigai has been considered important.
Conclusion
Karthigai is one of the most sacred months during which humans get a chance to clear their karmic cycle. This entire month people light their houses with lamps, and temples remain decorated and lit. This is the month to devote yourself to the almighty, and he'll get you rid of the trap of Maya or this illusionary world.
