Karthigai Deepam 2025: Date, Significance, Rituals and Timings

Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest and most important festivals of South India, celebrated mainly in the state of Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his son, Lord Murugan, it celebrates the victory of light over darkness. The Karthigai Deepam 2025 date is December 4th.

When is Karthigai Deepam 2025?

Here is the complete Karthigai Deepam 2025 date and timings:

Krittika Nakshatram Starts: 5:59 PM (December 3, 2025)
Krittika Nakshatram Ends: 2:54 PM (December 4, 2025)
Karthikai Deepam Date: 4th December, 2025 (Thursday)

What is Karthigai Deepam Festival?

Karthigai Deepam meaning is a festival of lights, often called the ‘festival of lamps’ in Tamil Nadu. On this day, people light thousands of small clay oil lamps known as Agni Deepam both inside and outside their homes. Devotees believe the light of these lamps removes darkness, both outside and inside us.

The main celebration takes place for over three days. It is most famous at the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, where a priest lights the giant flame, Maha Deepam, at the top of the Annamalai Hill. According to the cultural beliefs, this giant flame is the representation of Lord Shiva himself.

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Why is Karthigai Deepam Festival Celebrated?

Let us look at the importance of Karthigai Deepam from below:

Elimination of Darkness and Evil:

As devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan light thousands of Agal Vilakku (clay oil lamps), it marks the victory of good over evil and darkness. Consequently, all negativity and confusion are dispelled on Karthigai Deepam 2025 and bring happiness, prosperity, and peace.

Brother-Sister Bond:

In some parts of South India, the festival is also seen as a celebration of the sibling bond, similar to Raksha Bandhan or Bhai Dooj. However, instead of tying threads, sisters light lamps (diyas) and pray for their brothers’ long life and prosperity.

Honours Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan:

The lighting of these lamps is a way to worship Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan (also known as Lord Kartikeya). Devotees pray to Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan and ask for their blessings.

Astrological Significance of Karthigai Deepam

Karthigai Deepam falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai. But the astrological connection makes the importance of Karthigai Deepam more special. It happens on the day of the full moon (Pourami) and the presence of the Moon in the Karthigai star (Krittika Nakshatra).

Astrologers note that the Lord Agni (Fire) rules the Karthigai Nakshatra, which symbolises clarity, courage and transformation. They claim that lighting the lamps helps remove bad karma and negativity, bringing in new beginnings and prosperity.

Historical Importance of Karthigai Deepam

The ancient Tamil literature, the Sangam Literature, mentions the historical importance of Karthigai Deepam festival. The major ritual of Karthikai Deepam, Karthikai Vilakkidu (lighting of lamps), is mentioned in several Sangam age literature (c. 300 BCE to 300 CE).

The festival is also referred to as ‘Peruvila’ (Great Festival) in some Sangam texts. Even the book of poems called Aganaanooru (verses 141 and 185) cites this festival.

What is the Story Behind Karthigai Deepam?

The Karthikai Deepam festival in Tamil Nadu is a celebration of light and timeless legends. Let’s dive into some powerful stories of this magical festival!

1. The Story of Lord Shiva as an Infinite Flame

Once, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu began to argue about who was the most powerful and superior among them. To stop their fight, Lord Shiva appeared as a giant, endless flame. He challenged, saying that the one who could find the beginning or the end of the fire would be the most powerful.

After searching for a very long time, both failed to find the ends of the infinite fire. They finally returned, accepting that Lord Shiva was the supreme power. Devotees celebrate the day when Lord Shiva appeared as the pillar of light as Karthigai Deepam.

2. The Birth of Murugan from Six Sparks

Another story behind Karthigai Deepam links to the birth of Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Legend says that sparks of fire from Lord Shiva’s six faces transformed into six babies in the lake called Saravana Poigai.

According to mythological beliefs, the six Krittika stars took care of these babies. On this day, Goddess Parvati combined all six babies into a single child with six faces, who became known as Lord Murugan (Shanmukha). The Krittika stars cared for the Lord, so devotees dedicate this day, when the Moon is in the Krittika Nakshatra, to him.

Rituals of Karthigai Deepam 2025

The rituals of Karthigai Deepam focus on lighting lamps and offering prayers to the deities. So, below are the rituals that you can follow this Karthigai Deepam 2025:

1. Cleaning and Decoration: Homes are cleaned properly and decorated with rangoli known as Karthigai Deepam Kolam drawn at the entrance of the house.

2. Preparing the Lamps (Diyas): After the decoration, people prepare the diyas to light them on the day of Karthigai Deepam. They fill the diyas with oil, apply turmeric and kumkum and keep a cotton wick.

3. Lighting the Agal Vilakku: People light an odd number of lamps (like 5, 7, 9 or more) and place them outside their homes, in doorways, and on balconies. According to local customs, it is mandatory to keep the lamps burning throughout the night.

4. Worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan: Devotees visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan to offer their prayers. They also pray for their families’ prosperity, good health and abundance.

5. Maha Deepam: Atop the Annamalai hill in Thiruvannamalai, the Maha Deepam (a huge Diya) is lit every year to honour Shiva’s form as fire. This event symbolises the victory of Good over evil.

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Mantras and Shlokas Of Karthigai Deepam 2025

Chanting shlokas and mantras, known as ‘Deep Vanadana’ or ‘Deepa Shlokam’, while lighting the lamps is an essential part of the Karthigai Deepam rituals. Chant the following shlokas this Karthigai Deepam 2025:

1. Shloka 1: Subham Karoti Kalyanam

शुभम करोति कल्याणम आरोग्यम धन सम्पदाह |

शत्रु बुद्धि विनाशय दीप ज्योति नमोस्तुते ||

Subham Karoti Kalyanam Arogyam Dhana Sampadah

Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya Deepa Jyoti Namostute

Meaning: The light of the lamp brings goodness, peace, good health, and wealth. It destroys negative thoughts and the evil intentions of enemies. I bow to this sacred light of the lamp.

2. Shloka 2: Deepajyothi Parabrahma

दीपज्योति परब्रह्म दीपज्योति जनार्दन |

दीपो मे हर तु पम्पं सन्ध्या दीपं नमोस्तुते ||

Deepajyothi Parabrahma Deepajyothi Janardhana

Deepo Me Hara Tu Paapam Sandhya Deepa Namostute

Meaning: The light of the lamp represents the Supreme God (Parabrahma) and Lord Vishnu (Janardana). May this divine light remove all my sins and guide me toward goodness. I bow to the light that shines during the evening prayers.

3. Shloka 3: Shloka for All Living Beings

कीतहा पतंगा मशाकाहा च वृक्षाहा |

जले स्थाले ये निवासन्ति जीवहा ||

दृष्ट्वा प्रदीपं न च जन्म भजः |

सुखिनः भवन्तु स्वपचाहा हि विप्राः ||

Keetaha Patangha Mashakaha Cha Vrukshaha

Jale Sthale Ye Nivasanti Jeevaha

Drushtva Pradeepam Na Cha Janma Bhajaha

Sukhinaha Bhavantu Svapachaaha Hi Vipraha

Meaning: All the living beings like insects, flies, trees, and creatures that live in water or on land, may they never be reborn after seeing this sacred light (diya). May everyone, even the simplest or humblest beings, live happily and peacefully.

Conclusion

Karthigai Deepam 2025 festival(Karthikai Vilakkidu) is the oldest festival celebrated in the major regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. By lighting the lamps, we dispel the darkness, evil and all negativity present within us and welcome wisdom, peace and prosperity into our lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many days is Karthigai Deepam?

The Karthigai Deepam is celebrated for three days. The first day of the festival is known as Bharani Deepam, the second day is called Karthigai Deepam, and the third day is the final day when everyone lights lamps in their homes and temples.

2. Which god was born in Karthigai month?

As per the mythological beliefs, Lord Murugan (Lord Kartikeya), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was born in the month of Kathigai as per the Tamil calendar. This is why this month is considered significant for the devotees of Lord Murugan.

3. Why is Karthigai Deepam celebrated in Tamil?

In Tamil culture and tradition, the festival of Karthigai Deepam is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan. It also marks the victory of light over darkness.

4. When is the Karthigai festival celebrated?

The Karthigai festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November- December as per the Gregorian calendar) on the day when the Karthigai Nakshatra appears. However, the main festival is celebrated on the full moon day of this month.

5. Who lights the Tiruvannamalai Deepam?

According to the Karthigai Deepam rituals, the chief priest of the Annamalaiyar Temple lights the giant flame called the ‘Maha Deepam’ on the top of the Annamalai hill in Tiruvannamalai.