The Thiruvannamalai Karthika Deepam Festival
Part of the Ardhanareeswara’s Story:
Once, Parvati playfully closed Lord Shiva’s eyes, plunging the world into darkness. To atone for this incident, Parvati decided to perform intense penance. She created a Shiva Lingam out of sand and resolved to attain the Lord’s grace through devotion and meditation. In Thiruvannamalai, she engaged in severe penance to become one with Shiva.
During this time, a demon named Makidasura tried to disturb her penance. Parvati, in the form of Goddess Durga, destroyed the demon on the day of Karthika Purnima. Later, Shiva appeared in the form of a sacred flame on the Thiruvannamalai hill and accepted Parvati as his other half, manifesting as Ardhanareeswara.
Another Story Behind the Karthika Deepam:
Brahma and Vishnu once argued over who was superior. Their dispute escalated into a fierce battle. The gods, seeking to stop this conflict, approached Shiva for help. Shiva appeared as a massive pillar of fire and halted the battle. Unable to find the beginning or end of this fiery pillar, Brahma lied about having seen the top using the Ketaki flower as a witness. Recognizing Brahma’s deceit, Shiva forgave Vishnu’s humility and granted him a boon that he would be worshipped on earth.
In the following events, Shiva sent Bhairava to punish Brahma, cutting off one of Brahma’s heads. Vishnu pleaded with Shiva to forgive Brahma, and Shiva relented but decreed that Brahma would not be worshipped on earth. The Ketaki flower, used in Brahma’s deceit, was cursed but later blessed that devotees could still wear it, making their lives fruitful. Thus, Shiva displayed his divine grace and established his supremacy among the gods.
The Glory of Arunachalam:
Shiva, accepting the worship from Brahma and Vishnu, explained the significance of Shivaratri. He proclaimed that worshipping the Shiva Lingam on this day would yield great spiritual benefits. Shiva, who appeared as the pillar of fire during the battle between Brahma and Vishnu, blessed the devotees saying that worshipping this Lingam would grant both worldly pleasures and salvation. He declared that the place where he manifested as the fiery pillar would be known as ‘Arunachala Kshetra’ and would become a prominent spiritual site.
Thiruvannamalai Karthika Deepam Festival Highlights:
- Bharani Deepam: At 5 AM on Karthika Purnima, the Bharani Deepam is lit in the sanctum of the Annamalaiyar Temple, signifying the divine light and energy of Lord Shiva.
- Pancharatha Ratha Utsavam: The deities, adorned with various flowers, are taken out in processions on decorated chariots, attracting thousands of devotees.
- Maha Deepam: At 6 PM on Karthika Purnima, a large lamp is lit on the Arunachala hill, using 3,500 kilograms of ghee and a thousand meters of khadi cloth, symbolizing divine illumination.
- Illumination of Lamps: Devotees light lamps around the hill, creating a divine ambiance as they perform circumambulation (Girivalam) of the hill.
Significance of Karthika Deepam Related to Ardhanareeswara:
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- Form of Light: Lord Shiva appearing as an infinite flame and uniting with Parvati as Ardhanareeswara symbolizes the balance and unity of male and female energies in creation.
- Victory of Light: The festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and divine power over evil forces.
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