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| Thirukarthika, kerala.mathrubhumi.com |
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| Thirukarthika. divineinfoguru.com |
In the SW state of Kerala Karthika, or Thrikartika, the festival of lights is celebrated on the Karthika Nakshatra (star) in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November – December). Particularly, in South Kerala it is popular. On the festival day 19 November 2021- the full moon day Hindu houses, streets and temples are well lit with traditional oil lamps. it is a 3 day festival in Kerala - Nov 19 to 21 coinciding with Kaarthika, Rohini and Makayiram Nakshatra days in Vrischika Masam (Nov. Dec) it is similar to karthikai deepam of Tamil Nadu and Karthic Purnima of other states.
Though Thrikarthika festival is not dedicated to any particular God or Goddess in Hindu pantheon, the belief has been that on this day God Shiva appears as a giant pillar of fire (Agni) covering earth and heaven emphasizing that the God is all-pervading and omnipresent. God Shiva represents five important natural elements like water, air, earth, fire (agni) and akash (sky); without them survival on the planet is impossible. Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswar temple, Tamil Nadu where Shiva is in the form of Agni, assumes much importance on Karthikai day. Some Scholars claim that it represents an early form of Nature worship. Thirukarthika day also marks the birth of God Karthikaya (Muruga) from the sparks of the 3rd eye of God Shiva. Muruga was created by Shiva to annihilate a demon
In Kerala on the Thrikarthika day after sunset, houses, streets and temples are meticulously decorated with special oil lamps. In the past devotees used to make lamps from the shell of Marotika. Not any more, nowadays earthen lamps or bass lamps are used, Clay diya (known as idinjil or chirathu) is widely used in rural places.
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| Vaikom Mahadeva temple, kerala bhaktikishakti.com |
Thrukarthika or Karthikai deepam festival has been around in south India for centuries and it symbolizes removal of evil forces, ignorance, ego, arrogance and other negative elements and inviting positivity in our lives. Lighting oil lamps is a sort of dedication to the boundlessness of mighty god. Celebrated on the full Moon day or karthikai pournima, in Kerala and elsewhere, devotees welcome Goddess Karthiyayeni to give them prosperity, peace of mind and good health.
In the Hindu religion lighting oil lamps is not only an important puja ritual but is also associated with various auspicious ceremonies and functions like wedding, opening business, Grihapravesam (occupation of newly built home), etc. So in the month of Karthikai lighting special oils lamps in the Hindu homes and temples is quite indispensable. Lighting oil lamps is an auspicious way of spreading positivity in around the place and unwanted dark forces will be driven away for good.
In Kerala special food called Karthika puzhukku is made using using Tapioca, elephant yam and other tubers with lot of grated coconut on the day. In places like Thiruvananthapuram 'ella appam' is preparedistead of puzhukku.
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| Chottanikara Bhagavathy temple, Ernakulam.ndiaholidays.wordpress.com |
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| mathrubhumi.com |
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| mathrubhumi.com |
The devotees need to do the following on the day of karthikai deepam:
01. On the day of Thirukarthika, devotee - male or female must wear clean clothes after early morning head bath and later puja/prayer.
02. The entire household including floors must be well cleaned, particularly, the front parts, gate and open passage to the house.
03. Going on a fast on the karthikai day is not mandatory as in the case of Ekadashi. However, one may fast partially (by skipping night meal). It all depends on devotee's discretion.
04. If you have old earthen lamps stored up in a place for a long time, it is a must to clean them up in the morning so that they could be used in the same evening to light up the lamps. Devotees can make what is called maavillakku.
05. Decorating the front part of the entrance to the house with colorful kolam or rangoli is a must. After sun down oil lamps are kept at certain places on the kolam to create a geometric pattern. This is often accompanied with flower decoration in many places.
06. Inside homes, lamps should be kept burning through out the day and night in the puja room.
07. It is well and good to keep lamps in all rooms in the safe corners to dispel darkness and negativity. In some households to have better look, series of oil lamps are kept on both side of the stairways and entrance ways.
08. In Kerala special oil lamps (lamps made out of clay, referred in Malayalam as chirad) and candles are used as an offering to Goddess (Bhagavathy) on her birthday. The stems of banana (plantain) and tender leaves of coconut tree are used to decorate the Thrikarthika lamps. The lamps are placed on the banana stems supported by coconut leaves.
09. It is well and good if you visit the near-by temple and join the group of devotees who draw big Kolams there.
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| Karthikai Deepam. Sabarimalai temple.dinamalar.com |
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| Karhkai deepam, Sabari Malai, Kerala. .facebook.com |
At the Sabarimala Temple, Kerala on this day it is decorated with colorful flowers and lamps. As part of the Karthika Deepam celebrations, diyas and lamps are lit on the temple premises. Devotees offer prayers in the shrine, light up lamps and decorate the temple with colorful flowers. The festival is linked with Prabodhini Ekadashi marking the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period when Lord Vishnu is believed to be in deep meditation. Oil lamps will be lit all over the temple including 18 steps accessing the shrine.
The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa, according to the temple authorities, in Sabarimala was opened for devotees for the two-month pilgrimage season on November 16. Devotees are allowed inside the temple in accordance with strict COVID-19 protocol,
https://www.southtourism.in/kerala/festivals/thrikarthika.php
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