Thiruvannamalai Deepam / Karthikai Deepam !!

 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!




Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


 
 

 




Karthikai Deepam falls on full moon day of Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai. Karthikai Deepam/Thiruvannamalai Deepam is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in Sri Arunachaleshwara Temple, Thiruvannamalai.  Thiruvannamalai Deepam commemorates the myth Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma’s search for both the ends of a huge phallum at the divine command of Lord Shiva.  Lord Vishnu returned with the true outcome of his observation and Lord Brahma with a false statement.  At last, Lord Shiva revealed his presence in the form of huge fire on the hills of Thiruvannamalai.  


Another legend has that, on this auspicious day of Karthikai, Lord Muruga took birth as six babies in Saravana Poikai, they were  amorously nursed  by Karthikai Pengal and Goddess Parvati affectionately hugged the babies and their six heads got united.  Special rituals are performed to Lord Muruga on this day.



Thiruvannamalai Deepam festival is widely known as Karthikai Brahmostavam celebrated as ten days festival.  On the first day, Dwajarohanam takes place and Lord Arunachaleshwara along with Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Lord Sandeshwar and Goddess Parvati will be taken in a different celestial vehicle for a village procession in the morning and evening after Deeparadhana.  On the second day, the Panchamurtikal (Lord Arunachaleshwara, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Lord Sandeshwara and Goddess Parvati) will be taken out for village procession on Indra Vimanam (Chariot of Lord Indra).  On the third day, the Panchamurtis will be taken out for a village procession in Simha Vahanam.  On fourth day, the Panchamurtis along with the Kalpakavruksha (A celestial tree provides extra-ordinary boons and fulfil all the desires of a devotee) will be taken out for a village procession in Kamadhenu Vahanam.  On the fifth day and sixth day the deities will be taken out for a procession in Rishabha Vahanam and in Silver Chariot respectively.  On the seventh day, the deities will be taken out for a procession in a huge wooden Chariot pulled through the spacious streets of Thiruvannamali.  On eighth day, the deities will be taken out in Kuthira Vahanam (Horse).  On the ninth day, the detieis will be taken out for a procession in Kailasa Vahanam.



On the day of Karthikai Deepam, the temple ritual begins from early morning hours.  The Mahadeepam – one of the spectacular events can be visualized in the evening around 6.00PM.  This is one of most auspicious and glorious event; Lord Arunachaleshwara himself presents in the form a huge ‘Fire’ in the hills of Thiruvannamalai to bless His devotees.  In the night the presiding deity Lord Arunachaleshwara will be taken out for a village procession majestically in Rishabha Vahanam made of gold.




 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

No comments: