Kaarthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in the tamil month of Kaarthigai. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Kaarthigai month which coincides with Krithikai star. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai.
Legend !
There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarrelling and decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar
Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. But even after searching for several years, neither of the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realised that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva.
Soon afterwards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.' The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.
Soon afterwards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.' The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.
Another legend regarding Murugan: Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthigai month which coincides with the Karthigai Star. It was in this month that Lord Siva created Lord Muruga from his Divine Light. Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai." On this day, all his six forms were united by his mother Parvathi, and he became "Arumugan" (the form with six faces). Special pujas are performed for Lord Muruga on this day. Lord Muruga is worshipped as the reigning deity of Tamil Nadu.
Symbolism
Annihilate the three impurities, namely, egoism, selfish action and delusion. Burin the mind, senses and the desires in the fire of knowledge of the Self or Shiva Jnanam. Attain full illumination and behold the light of lights, which illumines the mind, intellect, sun, moon, stars, lightning and the fire. This is real Kartigai Deepam.
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May the light of lights illumine you all! May Lord Shiva bless you with more light! May you merge in this supreme light and attain the eternal adobe of bliss and immortality!
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Significane
Jothi Swarupam:
Of the five elements earth,water,fire,air and ether, fire is considered important as being in the middle. Adding Sun, Moon and Soul to these it is said that God exposes Himself in eight forms "Ashtamurthams". So the Vedas, Agamas and Puranas extol God as Rudragni Sivajothi and Paramjudar.
Choka Panai is burnt in Shiva and Vishnu temples on this day.
Just as fire destroys impurity in anything, God destroy the darkness of ignorance and egoism in men and blesses them with the light of wisdom. This is short is the philosophic truth behind the celebration of the festival.
From Sri U. Ve Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy answers:
What is the significance of Karthigai Deepam festival for a SriVaishnavite?
i) It is the day when Namperumal orders to His sri padam thangigal to reach the revered Nammazhvar to Srirangam to conduct adhyayana utsavam.
ii) It is the birth tirunakshatram of Thirumangai Azhvar.
iii) It is the day when we burn the bad behaviours symbolised by chokka panai.
iv) It is the day when we light lamps symbolic of blossoming knowledge.
Of the five elements earth,water,fire,air and ether, fire is considered important as being in the middle. Adding Sun, Moon and Soul to these it is said that God exposes Himself in eight forms "Ashtamurthams". So the Vedas, Agamas and Puranas extol God as Rudragni Sivajothi and Paramjudar.
Choka Panai is burnt in Shiva and Vishnu temples on this day.
Just as fire destroys impurity in anything, God destroy the darkness of ignorance and egoism in men and blesses them with the light of wisdom. This is short is the philosophic truth behind the celebration of the festival.
From Sri U. Ve Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy answers:
What is the significance of Karthigai Deepam festival for a SriVaishnavite?
i) It is the day when Namperumal orders to His sri padam thangigal to reach the revered Nammazhvar to Srirangam to conduct adhyayana utsavam.
ii) It is the birth tirunakshatram of Thirumangai Azhvar.
iii) It is the day when we burn the bad behaviours symbolised by chokka panai.
iv) It is the day when we light lamps symbolic of blossoming knowledge.
Reference in History
One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs.
Symbolism
Annihilate the three impurities, namely, egoism, selfish action and delusion. Burin the mind, senses and the desires in the fire of knowledge of the Self or Shiva Jnanam. Attain full illumination and behold the light of lights, which illumines the mind, intellect, sun, moon, stars, lightning and the fire. This is real Kartigai Deepam.
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May the light of lights illumine you all! May Lord Shiva bless you with more light! May you merge in this supreme light and attain the eternal adobe of bliss and immortality!
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