Karthigai Deepam Festival Kicks Off at Arunachaleswarar Temple

The highly anticipated Karthigai Maha Deepam festival began on November 27, 2023, at the renowned Lord Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. This ten-day celebration, marked by the chanting of Vedic hymns and the devotional refrain “Annamalaiyarukku Arohara,” is one of the most significant spiritual events in the region. The festival officially commenced with the hoisting of the holy flag atop the golden flagmast, known as Dwajasthambam, within the temple complex.

The festival will culminate on December 3 with the lighting of the sacred Maha Deepam at 18:00 atop the 2,668-feet high Annamalai Hills. On the same day, the Bharani Deepam will be lit at 04:00 inside the sanctum sanctorum, adhering to established temple traditions.

At precisely 18:00, following a ceremonial procession featuring the Ardhanareeswarar deity around the flagmast, the Maha Deepam will be ignited. This massive flame is created using over 3,000 kg of ghee and approximately 2 kg of camphor, contained in a large copper cauldron. A specially crafted wick, more than 1,000 metres long, ensures the flame burns continuously for nearly ten days, visible from miles away.

According to local legend, the Maha Deepam symbolizes Lord Shiva’s manifestation as an infinite pillar of fire, known as the eternal Jyotirlinga, demonstrating his supremacy before the gods Brahma and Vishnu. The Karthigai Deepam festival, rooted in tradition, is believed to be over 3,000 years old, with references found in ancient Tamil scriptures, making it one of the oldest celebrations in Tamil civilization.

Following the lighting of the Maha Deepam, lakhs of devotees participate in the sacred Girivalam, a 14-kilometre circumambulation of the holy Annamalai hill. Annually, between 2 million to 3 million devotees visit Tiruvannamalai to witness the Deepam, with numbers expected to rise this year.

To accommodate the influx of visitors, the Tamil Nadu Government will operate additional special buses throughout the state. Special ticket counters and designated parking areas will be established. Facilities for drinking water, sanitation, and other amenities will be enhanced to ensure a comfortable experience for attendees. Furthermore, Southern Railway will introduce special EMU and MEMU train services tailored for the devotees.

In light of the anticipated large crowds, more than 10,000 police personnel, including reinforcements from surrounding districts, will be deployed throughout the town. CCTV cameras have been strategically installed at key locations to monitor crowd movement and maintain safety during the festivities.

The Karthigai Maha Deepam festival not only serves as a spiritual highlight for devotees but also underscores the cultural heritage and communal spirit of the region, drawing people from various backgrounds to unite in celebration.