Karthigai Deepam Festival

Karthigai Deepam Festival is the light festivals of Tamilnadu. Lamps lit with oil are a symbol of holiness in Indian culture. On this auspicious day the whole Tamilnadu will be lit up with lovely oil lamps and all the house will be decorated with mango leaves and flowers.

Month of celebration:

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated during Pournami or full moon day when the moon is with the six star constellation called Karthigai. This festival is celebrated during November and December months for 10 days.

Legend:

The tiny clay lamps lit during Karthigai Deepam are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire Linga. Lord Shiva appeared as an endless flame of light before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma when they felt themselves as the supreme-most.

He told both of them to witness search for his head and feet. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and delved deep into the earth, Lord Brahma took a form of a swan and flew towards the skies. Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned and admitted himself that he could not. But Lord Brahma, saw a piece of Thazhambu.

It said that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva's head. With the help of this flower's false statement, Lord Brama claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen his head. Lord Siva realized the falsehood and cursed that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also banned the use of Thazhambu in his worship. Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is called karthikai maha Deepam.