All You Need To Know About Thiruvannamalai Deepam 2019
Here comes the Festival of Lamps, “Karthigai Deepam Festival“, one of the most famous and auspicious festivals in Tamilnadu. The Tamil month Karthigai plays a vital role in the religious and spiritual arena of the South Indian states. Falling between mid of November and December, Karthigai is a very special one as the Lighting Festival or the Festival of Lamps is celebrated across.
The Karthigai Deepam festival acclaimed as “Festival of Lamps” symbolizes the victory of good over the evil and spreading the light of happiness everywhere. Temples are decorated with lights and special poojas are conducted everywhere. People decorate their houses with lights and celebrate the festival with poojas, rituals, special delicacies, etc.,
Though the Karthigai Deepam(Festival Of Lamps) is celebrated invariable in all temples and houses, Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple is the iconic representation for this festival, drawing lakhs of devotees to witness the grandeur.
The Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple is one of the most important temples in South India, especially in Tamilnadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is worshipped as “Arunachaleswarar“. The Karthigai Deepam Festival is one of the major festivals celebrated here, during the day of the full moon between November and December and a huge beacon is lit atop of the hill.
Many festivals are celebrated at the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai throughout the year. Among them, Karthigai Deepam is the most significant festival that is celebrated with pomp and gaiety at the Arunachaleswarar temple.
This ten days long festival deserves a special mention when it is celebrated in Thiruvannamalai, the South Indian State of Tamilnadu. The Thiruvannamalai Temple is one of the five temples for Lord Shiva representing the five cosmic elements. Here in Thiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva is said to be present in the form of a mountain and representing the cosmic element Fire.
The other four temples located are Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh(Wind), Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval (Water), Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram (Earth) and Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram (Space).
The Karthikai Brahmothsavam, this year has seen an exotic commencement with the elaborate rituals and ceremonies at the Thiruvannamalai temple. Starting from 1st December 2019, there has been a wide range of celebrations and festivities throughout the city spreading the sanctity throughout.
The significant do of this Karthigai Brahmothsavam falls on 10th December 2019. The rituals start at around 4 o’clock in the early hours. To mark the commencement of the “Periya Karthigai”, Bharani Deepam is lit at the temple. An unimaginably huge cauldron is placed atop the Thiruvannamalai hills. Several hundred meters of cotton cloths are used to make the wick. Here come the most exciting and sacred moments of Karthikai Deepam. At around 6 o’clock in the evening, the lamp atop the hill is lit which is visible across several kilometers radius.
Tiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam Festival 2019 – 10 Days
The first day (1.12.2019) – Karthika Deepam festival begins with the hosting of the flag signifying the commencement of the festival also known as Dwajaroghanam. In the morning and night, Lord Arunachaleswarar will be taken out on the silver vahana for the procession. The Panchamurthis(Panchamurthigal) are also taken out in the procession. The Panchamurthigal are Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Parvathi. These processions are carried out on different vahanas after the Deeparadhana is done at the Kalyana mandapam.
The second day (2.12.2019) – Karthigai Deepam festival commences with the Lord Panchamurthigal coming on Indira Vimanam the chariot of Lord Indira.
The third day (3.12.2019) – Karthigai Deepam festival the ceremony begins at night with the Lord Panchamurthigal coming in procession majestically on the Simha vahana, the chariot of lion.
On the fourth day (4.12.2019) of Karthikai Deepam, the Lord Panchamurthigal comes in the procession that starts at night on the Kamadhenu Vahanam. The auspicious tree Karpaviruksha is also on the side of the lord. This tree is believed to grant all the wishes that the devotees seek without fail.
The fifth day (5.12.2019) – Karthikai Deepam festival begins at night. This procession on the silver Rishaba Vahanam is very appealing and splendid to witness. Lord Panchamurthigal goes on this Vahana that is about 25 feet tall. A big umbrella with about 17 feet in diameter is carried along in the procession.
The sixth day (6.12.2019) – Karthigai Deepam festival commences with a night procession of Lord Panchamurthigal on the silver chariot that is beautifully crafted and simply imposing when it comes around the temple.
The seventh day (7.12.2019) of Karthikai Deepam festival Lord Panchamurthigal starts with the procession on the Maha ratham that is very huge and it almost occupies the full width of the road. This ratham is made of pure wood that is strong and rugged.
The eighth day (8.12.2019) – Karthigai Deepam festival begins at night with the Lord Panchamurthigal going out on procession on the huge horse Vahana. The specialty of this horse is that all the four legs of this horse are in the air and they do not touch the ground.
On the ninth day (9.12.2019) of the Karthigai Deepam festival, the devotees can witness Lord Panchamurthigal going out a procession on the Kailasa Vahanam. This ceremony is mostly conducted on a ninth night.
The tenth day (10.12.2019) – Karthigai Deepam festival starts at around four o clock in the early hours and the Bharani Deepam is lit at the temple. In the evening the Mahadeepam is lit on the top of the hill at around six o clock. This is a very important ceremony during the Karthigai Deepam festival at Tiruvannamalai. Arunachaleswarar is said to be visually represented in the form of Agni on the hilltop. There is a very mammoth gathering on this day at the Arunachaleswarar temple to witness this glorious and sacred event. The night ceremony starts with Lord Periya Nayagar going out a procession on the Rishaba Vahanam that is made of gold. This is another spectacular event at the Arunachaleswar temple at Tiruvannamalai.
Lakhs of devotees assemble to witness this mega event when the Lord’s presence is felt in the form of fire. Light always brings a ray of hope into those who are in dark. Philosophically, if we surrender ourselves to the feet of Lord Arunachaleswara, he will put all our sins into the fire and purify us and with this faith and belief, the devotees take the Lord around the temple. The procession takes place in the golden chariot which marks the grand conclusion of this ten days long Karthikai Brahmothsavam. The devotees take back the blessings and the cherished memories from this vibrant sanctimonious place.
Suggested: Temples To Visit In Tamilnadu During Karthigai Deepam Festival
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 or December months for 10 days. This year 2019, the Karthigai Deepam Festival falls on December 10.
Getting there
By Air:- Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport which is at a distance of about 174 kilometers away by road. People coming from top metros in India namely Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore, and Hyderabad can take the air travel via Chennai.
By Rail:- Thiruvannamalai Railway Station is the nearest railway station which is at a distance of about 1.8 Kms. You can get regular trains to Thiruvannamalai from other major cities like Chennai, Trichy, Salem, Madurai, etc.
By Road:- Thiruvannamalai is well connected with all major cities in Tamilnadu. There are regular buses from other major cities like Chennai, Trichy, Tirupati, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari to Thiruvannamalai.
Karthigai Deepam Festival is celebrated in all parts of Tamil Nadu. The Festival of Lamps, Karthigai symbolizes the eradication of ignorance and lighting up intelligence in mankind. Temples and houses wear a festive look during this festival. Sweets, delicacies and crackers make the festival more wonderful. There are many Temples To Visit In Tamilnadu During Karthigai Deepam Festival to celebrate it in a grand manner. Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple, Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple are some of the notable and famous temples to visit during Karthigai Deepam, where the spectacular arrangements of lights can be enjoyed.
During this auspicious festival season, plan a tour to Tamilnadu with the Tamilnadu Temple tour packages and be a part of the enchanting festival, spreading the energy of positive thoughts all around and get a deeper insight into the traditions of South India.
For more details, visit www.tamilnadutourism.com and get free quotes for your itineraries.
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