Introduction
Karthigai Deepam, often referred to as the Festival of Lights of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most ancient and spiritually significant festivals celebrated in the state. Rooted in Tamil tradition and Shaivite worship, Karthigai Deepam is observed during the Tamil month of Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December) when the moon aligns with the Krittika (Karthigai) nakshatra. This festival marks the triumph of light over darkness and the divine manifestation of Lord Shiva as an infinite pillar of fire — the Agni Stambha.
Mythological Significance
The origin of Karthigai Deepam is deeply embedded in Hindu mythology. One of the most prominent legends associated with the festival is the story of Lord Shiva appearing as an endless flame of light to humble the egos of Brahma and Vishnu, who were disputing over who was the supreme deity. Lord Shiva challenged them to find the beginning and end of this flame. Brahma flew upwards as a swan and Vishnu dug downwards as a boar, but neither could succeed. This profound realization revealed Shiva’s omnipresence and established the significance of light as the symbol of divine truth. Karthigai Deepam commemorates this event.
Another legend links the festival with Lord Muruga, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who was nurtured by the six celestial Krittika maidens (Pleiades). Symbolizing this, six oil lamps are lit to honor the six mothers and the six forms of Muruga.
Celebration Across Tamil Nadu
Karthigai Deepam is celebrated with grandeur in homes and temples across Tamil Nadu, but the most spectacular observance takes place at the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing the element of fire (Agni). The festival there spans 10 days and culminates with the Maha Deepam, a massive flame lit atop the sacred Annamalai hill. The flame, often visible for several kilometers, represents the jyoti (light) of Shiva and draws lakhs of devotees and pilgrims.
In homes, people clean and decorate their houses, draw colorful kolams, and light rows of traditional clay lamps (agal vilakku) in the evening, placing them on windowsills, balconies, and verandahs. The gentle glow of these lamps creates a serene and sacred atmosphere, believed to ward off evil and invite divine blessings.
Cultural and Spiritual Essence
Karthigai Deepam is not just a visual delight but a festival that radiates spiritual symbolism. Light, in Hindu philosophy, represents wisdom, purity, and the ultimate truth. Lighting lamps on Karthigai is believed to dispel ignorance and darkness from one’s life. It is a time of devotion, reflection, and community bonding.
It is also one of the rare festivals celebrated exclusively in Tamil Nadu and by Tamil communities around the world, showcasing the region’s deep-rooted spiritual and cultural identity. The festival is older than Deepavali in Tamil tradition and is even mentioned in Sangam literature like the Akananuru and Tolkappiyam, attesting to its antiquity.