Karthikai Deepam 2024: The Festival of Lights in South India

Karthikai Deepam, also known as Karthigai Deepam or Karthika Deepam, is an ancient festival celebrated across South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Known as the South Indian festival of lights, it symbolizes the triumph of divine energy and is dedicated to the gods Shiva and Muruga. Celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November-December), it involves lighting rows of oil lamps, or “agal vilakku,” which adorn homes, temples, and public spaces.

In 2024, Karthikai Deepam will be celebrated on Friday, December 13, bringing together communities to honour the divine light that dispels darkness and negativity, inviting prosperity and spiritual growth.

Karthikai Deepam 2024 Important Timings

Sunrise – December 13, 2024 7:03 AM
Sunset – December 13, 2024 5:38 PM
Karthika Nakshatram Starts – December 13, 2024 7:50 AM
Karthika Nakshatram Ends – December 14, 2024 5:47 AM

When is Karthikai Deepam Celebrated?

Karthikai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Karttikai, which typically falls between November and December on the Gregorian calendar. This auspicious day marks a time when the Karthigai Nakshatra (star) aligns with the full moon, setting the stage for the festival.

Though the primary celebration takes place on one day, Karthikai Deepam is traditionally considered a month-long festival, beginning on Diwali. During this period, homes and temples are adorned with rows of oil lamps to honour the light of divinity and welcome auspicious energies.

The festival’s most grand observance occurs on the final day, which is celebrated with immense devotion across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Devotees light “agal vilakku” (traditional oil lamps) outside their homes, on thresholds, and in temple spaces to invoke divine blessings. In particular, the city of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu holds a spectacular event at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, where a colossal lamp, symbolizing Lord Shiva’s infinite form, is lit on the Arunachala hill and can be seen for miles around. This grand lighting is a highlight of Karthikai Deepam, embodying the essence of light dispelling darkness and symbolizing spiritual illumination.

The Significance of Karthikai Deepam

The history behind Karthikai Deepam is deeply woven with tales of divine power, particularly through the figures of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. The primary legend centres on a debate between Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and Lord Brahma, the creator, who once argued over their superiority in power. To resolve their dispute, Lord Shiva manifested as a colossal, endless pillar of fire, challenging Brahma and Vishnu to locate its beginning and end. Determined to prove their supremacy, Vishnu took the form of a boar and dug deep into the earth, while Brahma transformed into a swan and flew toward the skies. Despite their efforts, neither could find the limits of Shiva’s form, symbolizing the infinite nature of the divine. This tale underlines the idea that ultimate power lies beyond human comprehension and measurement, embodied in the image of Lord Shiva as the boundless, omnipresent force.

Another legend that adds to the significance of Karthikai Deepam is linked to Lord Muruga, also known as Kartikeya or Subramanya. According to the myth, six divine flames emerged from Shiva’s third eye, transforming into six celestial babies. These infants were raised by six nymphs known as the “Krittikas” by a lake called Saravana Poigai. Later, the six forms merged to create Lord Muruga, the god of war and wisdom, and a revered deity in Tamil Nadu. His birth and divine nature are celebrated on Karthikai Deepam, making the festival a significant occasion for Muruga devotees.

Celebration of Karthikai Deepam in Thiruvannamalai

The grandest celebration of Karthikai Deepam occurs at the Arunachaleshwara Temple in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Known as Karthikai Brahmotsavam, this event spans ten days, beginning with a ritual known as Dwajarohanam when Uthiraadam Nakshatra prevails at sunrise, typically ten days before Karthikai Deepam.

The Bharani Deepam ritual, observed at 4 a.m. in the temple premises on the same day or a day before Karthikai Deepam, initiates the festival. During this time, a grand lamp is lit under the Bharani Nakshatra. The highlight of the celebration is the Karthikai Maha Deepam ceremony, held after sunset when the Bharani Deepam flame is carried to the top of the Annamalai Hills and lit, visible from miles around. This flame symbolizes Lord Shiva’s formless and infinite energy.

Customs and Rituals of Karthikai Deepam

Karthikai Deepam is celebrated across Tamil Nadu and parts of South India with distinctive customs and rituals that emphasize devotion, familial bonds, and cultural heritage. These traditions vary slightly across regions, but all reflect the deep spiritual significance of this ancient festival.

Preparation and Decoration:

The celebrations begin with a ritual of purification and preparation. Homes are cleaned thoroughly, symbolizing the removal of negativity and making way for auspiciousness. Kolams, intricate patterns or floral designs crafted with rice flour paste, are created at the entrance of homes. These beautiful decorations are believed to welcome the gods and bring prosperity. The kolams are often adorned with small oil lamps, adding to the festival’s luminous charm.

Lighting of Lamps:

The primary ritual of Karthikai Deepam is the lighting of lamps, called “agal vilakku.” Every household is illuminated with oil lamps arranged in various patterns, symbolizing the divine light that dispels darkness. The lamps used include the Lakshmi vilakku, representing wealth; the Kuthu vilakku, with a five-petal design symbolizing divine blessings; and the Gajalakshmi vilakku, symbolizing prosperity and the goddess Lakshmi. As the sun sets, these lamps are lit, creating a glowing ambience that mirrors the essence of the festival – enlightenment and spiritual illumination.

Fasting and Feasting:

Many devotees observe a fast on the day of Karthikai Deepam, abstaining from food until sunset. This practice symbolizes self-discipline and devotion. After sunset, families gather to enjoy a festive meal, which includes special dishes prepared as offerings to the deities. Traditional sweets and savoury snacks are made for the occasion, adding joy and warmth to the celebration.

Sister-Brother Bonding:

In a unique cultural tradition, Karthikai Deepam strengthens the bond between sisters and brothers, akin to Raksha Bandhan in North India. Sisters offer prayers for the long life, prosperity, and protection of their brothers, reinforcing familial love and support.

In Andhra Pradesh, Karthikai Deepam has its own special customs, including the lighting of a grand lamp with 365 wicks, symbolizing blessings for each day of the year. Devotees also recite the holy text of “Kartheeka puranam” to invoke good fortune and spiritual strength, marking the festival with reverence and piety.

The Importance of Lamps in Karthikai Deepam

In Karthikai Deepam, the lighting of lamps is central to the festival’s symbolism and spiritual meaning. Each lamp, or “agal vilakku,” represents divine illumination, believed to dispel darkness both physically and metaphorically. Lighting lamps are thought to ward off negative energies, inviting peace, prosperity, and divine blessings into households. This act symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and goodness over evil.

The festival is often referred to by different names across regions, such as Vishnu Deepam, Pancharatra Deepam, and Yanai Pandigai, reflecting its varied spiritual and cultural associations. In some traditions, lighting lamps is an offering to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and the glow of the lamps is seen as an embodiment of divine presence. For Shaivites, the lamps honour Lord Shiva, connecting to the legend of his infinite fire form. For Vaishnavites, the festival as Vishnu Deepam celebrates Lord Vishnu’s divine grace and protection.

At temples like the famous Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu, the lighting of the Maha Deepam on the hilltop is a grand event witnessed by thousands, symbolizing the powerful presence of divinity across the world. Whether in homes or temples, the lamps of Karthikai Deepam illuminate the hearts and minds of devotees, offering a visual and spiritual reminder of divine grace.

Karthikai Deepam in Kerala and Beyond

In Kerala, Karthikai Deepam is celebrated as Thrikarthika or Karthika Vilakku, primarily during the Malayalam month of Vrischika (November-December). Unlike Tamil Nadu, where the festival centres around Lord Shiva and Muruga, in Kerala, it is a day of devotion to Goddess Shakti. Devotees in Kerala light lamps, often placing them on elaborate kolams (rangoli-like designs) outside their homes, and offer prayers to invite blessings and protection from the goddess. Temples dedicated to Shakti host special pujas, and the illumination of homes and temples with oil lamps creates a festive and sacred atmosphere.

Beyond India, Karthikai Deepam is celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide, especially in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Africa. For the Tamil diaspora, this festival is an important cultural and religious observance, bringing a sense of connection to their heritage. The lighting of lamps outside homes is a common practice among the diaspora, illuminating entire neighbourhoods and spreading the spirit of Karthikai Deepam. This act serves as a reminder of shared beliefs, reinforcing community bonds and continuing traditions passed down through generations. The festival transcends geographic boundaries, uniting Tamil people globally in a shared celebration of light, divinity, and tradition.

Significance and Beliefs Associated with Karthikai Deepam

Karthikai Deepam holds significance for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites, making it an auspicious occasion celebrated across South India with devotion and reverence. The festival is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the god of war and wisdom, who is believed to have been born under the Karthikai Nakshatra (star). The festival of Karthikai Deepam is also associated with light as a universal symbol of hope, positivity, and divine energy.

Lighting oil lamps, or agal vilakku, on this day is believed to dispel darkness and negativity from one’s life, attracting prosperity, joy, and spiritual enlightenment. For many, the festival marks a renewal of faith and an opportunity to invite divine blessings into their homes. The collective illumination of countless lamps, particularly in temples and households, reinforces the belief in the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, embodying the spiritual essence of Karthikai Deepam.

Conclusion

Karthikai Deepam transcends a mere festival; it’s a profound celebration of Tamil heritage, spirituality, and cultural identity. With roots in ancient Hindu traditions, the festival fills South Indian homes and temples with the warm glow of oil lamps, symbolizing the omnipresent and boundless power of the divine. As lamps are lit in every corner, the light serves as a reminder of the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and the power of divine blessings in our lives.

In 2024, as devotees come together on December 13 to celebrate Karthikai Deepam, the occasion will once again bring an atmosphere of devotion, hope, and unity across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and beyond. Whether marked in grand temples like Tiruvannamalai’s Annamalaiyar or in humble homes, Karthikai Deepam unites devotees in faith and the quest for enlightenment, illuminating not only their surroundings but also their inner paths toward spiritual growth and divine connection.