Karthigai Festival 2024: Date, Meaning and Significance

We all know about Diwali, the auspicious festival of lights. People celebrate it with great pomp and show. But do we know about Karthigai Deepam? It’s a festival similar to Diwali, celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthika. Let’s dive deep to learn more exciting facts about the Karthigai festival.

Date and Timing of the Karthigai Festival 2024

• Festival Date: 13 December, Friday, 2024
• Nakshatram Starts: 7:50 a.m. on 13 December
• Nakshatram Ends: 5:47 a.m. on 14 December

The Karthigai Deepam Schedule of 2024

What is the Karthigai Deepam?

Karthigai Deepam is an auspicious occasion celebrated in southern India. It is mainly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Sri Lanka. On this day, we light lamps and Diyas.

Other names for Karthigai Deepam are Bharani Deepam, Vishnu Deepam, Trikarthika, Vilakiddu, etc. It falls on the full moon day of the Kartthikai month. The festival is associated with Lord Shiva, so lighting lamps on this day brings positive energies inside.

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What is the story behind the Karthigai Festival?

Karthigai Deepam is an auspicious occasion celebrated in India. It has a story behind it. We dedicate this festival to Lord Shiva and his son Muruga. The story tells about a dispute between Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a flame to resolve the conflict. He told them to find the origin and end of the flame.

Lord Brahma went to find Shiva’s head, and Vishnu took the form of a boar and went to see the end of the flame. They wanted to win the challenge Shiva gave. Finally, they both failed and realised that Shiva was present in every form. This is why we celebrate the festival by lighting a Diya.

Story of Lord Shiva and Murugan

The other story is about the birth of Lord Murugan, Shiva’s son. He was born from the six sparks that emerged from Lord Shiva’s third eye. Six children were born from these six sparks, all merged into a divine form. This is another aspect of why the festival is important for Indians.

How Do We Celebrate the Deepam Festival?

The Karthikkai Deepam is celebrated for three days. The festival commences with Bharani, Annamalai and ends with Pancharatra Deepam. Mostly, we light oil lamps on this auspicious occasion of the Karthigai Deepam.

Celebrations in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

In Thiruvannamalai, we celebrate the grand day of the Karthigai Deepam. We light a large lamp known as Maha Deepam. Several idols of the temple are taken out for procession. Many devotees gather to witness the divine vista when the Thiruvannamalai place looks spectacular. They seek the divine blessings on this day.

Rituals of the Karthigai Festival

There are some rituals that we need to follow during the festival. These are:

• On this day, people clean their houses and make beautiful rangolis.
• The lamps of clay are lit around our homes.
• You can decorate your house with different kinds of lamps.
• We keep fast on this day and eat flavourful dishes after the fast.
• We cook some delicious meals on this day.
• People wear new clothes on this day and visit their friends and families.
• We can ward off our ego and pride if we worship Lord Shiva on this day.
• Sisters pray for the long life of their brothers on this auspicious day.

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Do’s and Don’ts of the Karthigai Festival

There are dos and don’ts of this festival that we should follow:

• We must arrive early at the temples to see the various processions, lighting, etc.
• Women need to wear proper traditional clothes like saris. Men should wear Dhotis.
• We need to follow the customs and rituals inside the temples properly.
• You should not cause any damage to the temple premises by littering.
• You must follow discipline inside the temple, and we should not lose our patience.
• We should avoid carrying large bags into the temple.
• You should not take photographs inside the temple if you are not allowed to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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