Karthigai Deepam, the most famous festival of lights, is observed on the full moon day of Karthigai month. The lights lit around removes the darkness of one’s life and are linked to the win of good over bad.

Story of Karthigai Deepam

Once Brahma and Vishnu began to have an ego clash with each other, “who is the biggest”. They both believed to be the biggest, rather than just performing their responsibility. During that moment, God Shiva arose in the sort of fire and asked them that anyone who hits the top or bottom of the fire is the biggest.

Brahma takes the shape of a bird and ended up finding the top of the fire pillar. Vishnu takes the shape of big pig and sought to see the bottom of the pillar. Because God has no restriction of size either of them could not see both the top and the bottom of the fire.

As their ego came down and they kept praying, God Shiva showed up in front of them. That day when God Shiva showed up as a pillar of fire is Karthigai Deepam.

Lord Shiva emerged as an Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Well, the words “Tiruvannamalai” and “Arunachala” are defined as “holy fire hill”. The Shivalinga in the temple is the agni linga. The small lamps lit for the Karthigai Deepam are considered as miniature replicas of the fire linga. Yearly, thousands of devotees visit to Tiruvannamalai to see the incredible Karthigai Deepam. On the peak of the Tiruvannamalai hill, a spectacular torch is lit, and it is believed that Lord Shiva’s jyothi will be present on this day.

Also, there is a belief that Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called “Saravana Poigai.” On this day, all his six forms were joined by his mother Parvathi and thus he had six faces. Specific poojas are done for Lord Muruga.

How we Celebrate?

In Tamil Nadu People celebrate Karthigai for three days.

  • First day of Thiru Karthigai Deepam is termed “Periya Karthigai”.
  • Second Day of  Thiru Karthigai Deepam is termed “Vadai Karthigai”.
  • Third Day of Thiru Karthigai Deepam is termed “Kuppai Karthigai”.

On all three days people clean the house. In the evening, the Rangoli are drawn in front of the house and lamps are placed on it. The lamps are placed in the pooja and lit. After the Deeparadhana is completed, the lamps are kept to different spots in the house. The lights will glow everywhere in the streets. The lamps are placed near the doors and windows, as well as in the balconies. Also, people light a variety of fireworks on this day. On this specific day of Thiru Karthigai, all the temples are illuminated and special prayers are served.

                                   It is believed that the light of Karthigai Deepam enlighten the darkness of ignorance and misery and bring happiness and prosperity to our lives.

Offering on this Day

Jaggery is the key ingredient and we use it to make Pori urundai, kadalai urundai, and any type of peanuts urundai, roasted gram urundai, appam, payasam with jaggery, vadai, Vella Seedai. Devotees will offer these Neyvedyam and perform prayers.

At your convenient location in Kuala Lumpur (Old Outlet and New Outlet) Malaysia, you can buy wide range of diyas and Oil Lamp that make your Karthigai Deepam more colourful by decorating your home with these spiritual diyas and also you can get all your Indian groceries, vegetable and Fruits under one roof. Come and visit our store!

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