Karthikai Deepam - 2020 (Photos & Article)

Karthikai Deepam or Karthikai Vilakkidu is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It falls in the month of Kārthikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. The full moon day, when Karthikai Nakshatra prevails in this Karthikai month is called Karthikai Pournami. 

Like Deepavali, Karthikai Deepam is a festival of lights, because Deepams or oil lamps are lit and decorated in the evening at homes and in temples. 

Thiruvannamalai is famous for Karthikai Deepam, hence it is also called as Thiruvannamalai Deepam. Karthikai Deepam festival is celebrated with great pomp and devotion in Thiruvannamalai. 

Holy fire called, Thiruvannamalai Maha Deepam will be lit in a huge lamp at the top of the holy mountain around 6 pm, on this day. To commemorate the same, we in Madurai Math also celebrate the Karthikai Deepam by lighting a big Deepam in our temple prayer hall at 6 pm, followed by chanting “Arunachala Siva..” until evening Arati begins.