Karthigai Deepam 2013 : The Burning Flame of Lord Shiva!

Karthigai Deepam in 2013 is going to be celebrated on 15th of December. As per different beliefs and position of constellations, some communities might celebrate Karthigai Deepam on 16th of December. The date of Karthigai Deepam is fixed as seen from Tamil solar calendar. Every year, Karthigai Deepam is celebrated in the month of Karthigai, when constellation Karthigai prevails at the time of Ratrimana. In this time, the Karthigai constellation coincides with full Moon day in the month of Karthigai.

Karthigai Deepam 2013 Celebration

The festival of Karthigai Deepam is started with the ritual of Bharani Deepam. Ritual of Bharami Deepam is observed at 4am of the day. The day following this ritual of Bharani Deepam is the immediate day before Karthigai Deepam. In the ritual of Bharani Deepam, a lamp is lit inside the temple while the Bharani constellation prevails. In most of the years, Bharani Deepam has been lit on the same day of Kathigai Deepam at 4am. The lamp of Karthigai Deepam is lit after sunset or an average of time 6pm. The flame of fire for the lamp of Karthigai is taken from the lamp of Bharani Deepam as per ritual. Finally, in the evening, the flame is brought to the top of a hill for lighting up Karthigai Maha Deepam.

Karthigai Deepam can also be spelled as Karthikai Deepam. On the day of Karthigai Deepam, traditional oil lamps are lit in temples, homes, streets and everywhere else possible. Special Pujas and allied spiritual events are organized at temples. Lighting lamp symbolizes the peace and prosperity. This day is also known as Vishnu Deepam.

Festival of Karthikai Deepam originally belongs to Tamil Nadu. Being a South Indian festival it is also celebrated in Kerala and known as Thrikartika.

Legend Associated With Karthigai Deepam

While celebrating Karthigai Deepam in 2013, it is a good idea to know about the legend associated with this festival. As all Hindu festivals have a story behind them, Karthigai Deepma is also one of them. The legend behind Karthikai Deepam is given below:

The tales begins like this that Lord Shiva once changed himself to an endless flame. He did this to test if Lord Brahma or Lord Vishnu is supreme, as both claimed that they were supreme. Turned to flame, Lord Shiva stood before the two Lords and asked them to find his head and feet. In order to accomplish the task, Lord Vishnu changed himself to a boar (Varaha in Hindi � Varahan in Tamil) and Brahma to Swan (Hamsa in Hindi � Annam in Tamil). Boar rushed toward Earth and delved deep to the core, whereas Swan flew toward the sky. Lord Vishnu couldn�t find any clue and returned failed. On the other hand, Lord Brahma found a piece of Thazhambu (a flower) and got to know that it had been floating here since last 30,000 years from the head of Lord Shiva. Knowing this, he chanced upon it and claimed Lord Shiva that he has seen the top of the other. Lord Shiva realized he is lying and said that there would be no temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also prohibited the use of that flower in his worship. As Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is celebrated to commemorate that event and is called �Maha Deepam�.

Festival of Karthigai Deepam is very popular in Tiruvannamalai hills. The lamp that is lit on the hill on this day is so huge that it is visible from several kilometers around the hill. This is called Mahadeepam and devotees visit the lamp to fetch blessings of Lord Shiva. Incredibly, this festival is very beautiful, bright and colorful. Celebration of Karthigai Deepam purifies the entire environment with the essence of burning pious lamp fuel. The fragrance of incense and lamps with the brightness of yellow light in dark gives a beautiful ambience. This spiritual ambience enchants Lord Shiva and pleases him to visit the Earth. Undoubtedly, pleased Shiva also blesses his devotees with some boons. Therefore, one should never let the chance of celebrating this auspicious festival go. Spread the word and celebrate the auspicious festival of Karthigai Deepam with your near dear ones. As the celebration will be big, shower of blessings will also be big. With this brief article on Karthigai Deepam, we hope you will utilize the best of it in receiving the immense blessings of Almighty, Lord Shiva. Happy Karthigai Deepam 2013!