Like Diwali, Karthigai Deepam is also a festival of lights. On this occasion, it is the custom to light diyas in Hindu households to commemorate the event of Lord Shiva turning into a pillar of fire to resolve a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The festival falls on Poornima or the full moon day, in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November-December). The festival starts on the day of Diwali and continues for a month. Karthigai Deepam is widely celebrated in south India, and it is an important festival for Tamil people.
The Myth behind Karthigai Deepam
Once, Brahma and Vishnu had a heated argument about who among the two was superior in terms of power and strength. Despite being Gods, they quarreled like ordinary mortals, making a spectacle of themselves in heaven as the other gods watched in dismay.
Lord Shiva was also watching their fight keenly. Finally, he had had enough and decided to end the fight. He turned into a pillar of fire and appeared before them. He asked them to find its end and beginning, saying that the one who could find either first would be the supreme God. Brahma and Vishnu readily agreed. Brahma immediately turned into a swan and flew up, while Vishnu turned into a boar and dug his way into the earth’s bowels. But neither could find the end or beginning of the fire pillar.
However, Brahma did not want to concede defeat. He persuaded a ketaki flower to bear false witness to his claim that he had found the beginning of the fire pillar. But he could not fool Lord Shiva, who cursed him, saying that nobody would worship him on earth. It is why there are hardly any temples for Lord Brahma on earth.
Shiva then assumed his original form, proving that he was the Supreme God.
There is another myth related to Karthigai Deepam. It is said that Lord Muruga was born from six sparks that emerged from Shiva’s 3rd eye. These sparks turned into six babies in a pond called ‘Saravana Poigai', and they were raised by the Karthigai Pengal. On this day, Goddess Parvati embraced the babies who merged into one. So Karthigai Deepam is also important for the worship of Muruga.
How to Celebrate Karthigai Deepam
In Tamil Nadu, Karthigai Deepam is celebrated for three days.
- The first day is termed “Periya Karthigai”.
- The second day is “Vadai Karthigai”.
- The third day is termed “Kuppai Karthigai”.
Karthigai Deepam Rituals
People sweep and wash their houses on this day. They draw Rangolis or ‘Kolams' with rice flour paste in front of the house. This is done to welcome the deities.
Agal vilakkus, or lamps, are placed in front of God. They are also placed in the center of the Kolams.
Lamps are lit in the pooja room. After the Deeparadhanai, lamps are lit and placed all over the house, near the doors, windows, and on the balconies. People also light fireworks.
People keep fast until sunset. They make special dishes and eat them after ending the fast.
Many lamps are lit all over the house. The lamps may have patterns that symbolize mythological tales. The Lakshmi vilakku is in the shape of a woman with folded hands, the Kuthu vilakku is like a flower with five petals, and the Gajalakshmi vilakku is in the shape of an elephant.
Also, people light a variety of fireworks on this day. On Thiru Karthigai, all the temples are brightly illuminated and hold special prayers. The belief is that the light of Karthigai Deepam removes the darkness of ignorance and misery and brings joy and prosperity to our lives.
Jaggery is the main ingredient in the offerings, which include payasam, Pori urundai, kadalai urundai, peanuts urundai, roasted gram urundai, appam, etc. Savories like vadai and vellai seedai are also offered as Neivedyam.
This festival also celebrates the sister-brother bond. Sisters pray and fast for the welfare and long life of their brothers.
In Andhra Pradesh, a big lamp with 365 wicks is lit to ward off any evil on the day of Karthigai Pournami (full moon day in Karthigai month). Also, people recite the holy text of Karthigai Puranam for auspiciousness and good fortune.
This festival is celebrated grandly at the Arunachaleshwara (Shiva) Swamy temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Here, the 10-day festival is called Karthigai Brahmotsavam. On Karthigai Deepam, a huge fire can be seen atop the hill where the temple stands, even from far away.
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