Normally, all the Arupadai veedu - 6 abodes of god Muruga will experience massive footfall particularly, in Palani and Thiruparankundram temples. The local administration with HR & CE have made special arrangements for security and crowd control for the benefits of devotees. The Police have made elaborate security arrangements At all these temples the rituals include car procession, yagna, and special pooja. The Deepam day marks the birth of god Muruga who was created by God Shiva to kill demon king Soorapadman.
At Palani Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani swamy Temple, 3rd among the 6 abodes of god Muruga, Karthigai Deepam is held every year in a grand manner. This year Nov, 26 (Sunday) being Karthigai Deepam day, arrangements have been made before hand at the hill temple as a vast crowd of devotees will be attending the festivities. The beginning of the festival was marked by customary temple flag hoisting and Kappu kattuthal ritual involving main idols After performing special pujas, the holy thread or ‘kaapu’ is tied to Dwara Balakargal at the hill temple and Lord Chinna kumarasamy is taken out on a procession in a golden chariot. Th highlight of this festival here is the Uchava deities would be taken out on the temple premises in a procession on a golden chariot on all days of the festival
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| Palani Murugan temple, TN. devotionalyatra.com |
At the Palani temple Karthigai Deepam is a seven day festival unlike Tiruvannamalai temple where it is a 10 day grand festival. For 6 days in the evening regular pujas and rituals will include: at 5.30 Sayaraksha puja, followed by Shanmuga archanai at 6 pm and Shanmuga Deepa archanai at 6.30 pm. Yagasala Deeparadhana at 7 pm followed by golden chariot therottam on the temple premises with god Chinna kumar at 7.30 pm. All these events take place before thousands of devotees.
On the 6th day in the evening from the yagasala Bharani deepam will be taken to the sanctum (garbhagriha) to be lit there. Thirukarthigai day being on the 7th day, temple will be open at 4 am in the early morning and there will be Vishwaroopa Darshan and special pujas. After customary puja rituals like Shanmuga archanai, sayaratchai puja, etc around 4. 45 pm god Muruga and his consort will be taken in a golden chariot.
Once the major rituals and pujas are over, on the hill temple in all four cardinal directions Deepam will be lit. After 6 pm Chokkapanai will be lit on a special stand erected on the outer prakaram. Likewise at Avinankudi and Periyanayagi Amman temples lighting of karthigai deepam and Chokkapani will be held with reverence.
