Among the Hindu festivals the one that is widely observed in India especially in south india is Karthigai Deepam festival. It is the most popular one in Tamil Nadu and the primary venue is Arunachaleswar temple of Thiruvannamali where God Shiva represents Agni - one of the five most essential elements (Pancha boothams) for the sustenance of life on earth. It is a10 day event that comes in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November- December). The final day marks Maha deepam.
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| Bharani Deepam, Thiruvannamalai. seithipunal.com |
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| Bharani deepam , Thiruvannamalai. livechennai.com |
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| Bharani deepam , Thiruvannamalai. livechennai.com |
Above images: Arunachaleswar temple, Thiuvannamalai, TN. Bharani deepam ritual at 4 am on the Karthigai Deepam day. After Deepa Aradhanai, it is taken to the devotees for prayer and wishes.....
On the auspicious day of Karthigai Deepam festival Arunachaleswarar temple is opened in the early morning and special Abhishekam and Deeparadhanai will be done. Bharani Deepam, an integral puja protocol of karthigai deepam and an inaugural ritual is held with devotion on the morning of the culminating day - 9th of the festival. This year 2022, Bharani Deepam is lit around between 4 am on December 6.
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| Happy Karthigai Thirunal 2022. greetings.pic |
Performed before the main deity of the temple in the garbagriha (sanctum), it is an invocation to God Shiva (who is said to have appeared as a huge column of fire here). It has long been a tradition to show deepa aradhana to the primary deities in all temples, be they Vishnu, Sakthi or Shiva temples. A customary yagam is held by pundits at the Artha Mandapam. The temple's chief priest does deepa aradhana before the deity and then lights up five deepams in a small bowl containing ghee. During this time Tamil devotional hymns eulogizing the presiding deities Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman are sung as the Deepam is lit. Then it will be shown to the limited gathering of devotees there to pay their obeisance to the deepams.
Only upon the lighting of Bharani Deepam on the temple premises, preparations will be made to light up Maha Deepam in the evening at 6 pm. Before the event, the idol of God Shiva in Arthanareeswarer Alangaram (Kolam; half male, half female) symbolic of inseparable male female aspects will be brought to the main venue. The huge Maha deepam will be lit up simultaneously atop the 2668 ft tall Arunachala hill at 6 pm in the evening. After this event at all Hindu homes across Tamil nadu, women folks in the families will light up earthen oil lamps.
The Tamil month of Karthigai (mid November to mid December) is an auspicious one to offer prayers to God Shiva (who represents Agni), God Muruga (Karthikaya) who appeared from Agni and Vishnu who protects his devotees who surrender to him, leaving behind, arrogance, ego, etc. Pournami (full Moon day), Bharani Nakshatra and Somavaram (Monday) assume much religious importance in this month. Normally, people are advised by learned pundits to light up earthen oil lamps all through the Tamil month of Karthigai and particularly in the Bharani nakshatra time and it is good for the well being and prosperity of the families.
At homes Bharani deepam should be lit up before 6.30 pm a day before Karthigai Deepam day. Two oil lamps are kept at the entrance and one in the Puja room. Besides 5 earthen oil lamps on a brass plate (Thampalam) must be lit facing different directions symbolic of Pancha Bootha Thatvam that is essential for our survival, no matter where we live. Further, it will bring in positive energy and dispel all dark and evil forces in the house. It means the ensing new year will be a prosperous one.
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