Happy Kartigai To All Hindus

Karthigai is on 27th November for the year 2012. 

Karthigai Deepam is observed in every home and every temple in Tamil Nadu. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and purnima. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear. Many legends and lyrical poetry have grown round this star. The six stars are considered in Indian mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai nymphs. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps Deepam in the evening of the festival day.

Mythological aspects

Lord Shiva appeared as an endless flame of light before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who each considered himself supreme and said that the matter could be tested if the two could search for Lord Shiva's Head and feet. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boarand delved deep into the earth, Lord Brahma that of a swan and flew towards the skies. Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned. But Lord Brahma, chancing upon a piece of Thazhambu, a flower, learnt from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva's head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen the other's top. Lord Siva realized the falsehood and pronounced that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also interdicted the use of the flower Thazhambu in his worship. Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is called Maha Deepam^.


Celebrations

Rows of Agal vilakkus (oil lit lamps) are lit in every house.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. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(analogous to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.


Celebrations at Tiruvannamalai

Karthigai festival in Tiruvannamalai hills is very famous. On Karthigai day, a huge fire lamp is lit up on the hill, visible for several kilometers around the hill. The fire (dheepam) is called Mahadeepam, Hindu devotees visit here and pray to god Shiva.

[Source: Wikipedia]

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For my family, Karthigai Deepam is most waited festival of the year after Diwali..(hehehex...) Normally, we will clean up the house (actually its already clean and juz been cleaned for Diwali...hehehehex). Then we will draw a very colorful and attractive kolam at the front of the house. Then, in the evening, we will do prayers (pooja) with prasadham for God. Then, comes the exciting part, lighting up the vilakku... We will arrange more than 100 vilakku around the kolam and house... Normally we will take around 1 hour to light up all the vilakku...... The best part is, switching off the electric lights and see the glow of oil lamp in the dark... Thats awesome..and wonderful... Next, photo session, its a must... Everyone knows, Memories last forever!! 

Let this Deepam Brings U Brightened and Enlightened Life Like the Light of Lamp

Wishing all my family members, realtives, friend and 
hindus around the world 

Happy Karthigai Deepam

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