Karthigai Deepam - Our Own Festival Of Lamps!

Today and tomorrow are big festival days in Tamilnadu - "Karthigai Deepam". Apart from the religious significance, it is also the day when all girls and women light beautiful lamps  in their houses in the evening and pray primarily for the well-being and happiness of all their brothers and their families.

Observing 'Kargthigal Deepam' festival has always been very important to me because it is one occasion wherein you basically pray for somebody else whom you really care for and not just for your own self!

History of Karthigai Deepam

Kaarthigai Deepam brings to mind the legend of Lord Muruga who took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai". He was formed from the eyes of Lord Shiva as six flames. These six flames turned into six babies which were united by Goddess Parvati (his mother) on this day. Special rituals are performed to Lord Muruga on this day.

(info courtesy:http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2009/11/karthigai-deepam-on-1st-december.html)

Story behind Karthigai

Once, Brahma and Vishnu due to their ego, started arguing with each other as to "who is the greatest". Both claimed to be the greatest instead of doing their duty. At that time Lord Shiva appeared in the form of fire and told them that whoever finds the top or bottom of the fire is the greatest. Brahma took the form of Annam (a bird) and tried to find the top of the fire pillar. Vishnu took the form of Varaha (giant pig) and tried to see the bottom of the pillar. As God has no limit in his size or power, both of them could not see either the top or the bottom of the fire. When their ego went down and they prayed to God, He appeared before them. The day in which God appeared as a pillar of fire is Thirukarthigai/Karthigai Deepam.

http://www.karthigaideepam.com/

Spiritual Significance of Karthigai Deepam

The functioning of lamp implies a great spiritual notion. The wick in the lamp symbolizes our ego and the oil that is used to light the lamp denotes our innate nature that is responsible for the ego to thrive. The flame, the spiritual knowledge has the capacity to blaze our ego, the wick by emptying our innate tendencies. This is the significance of Karthigai Deepam.

Lights symbolize the victory of the good over the evil. People try to make their homes protected from evil eyes and evil forces. They want to bring in peace and prosperity in the families for life. They pray honestly to God to give them good feelings for other human beings. Lamps CAN give the power to shed fear and bring in victory in the lives of people

http://www.subbuskitchen.com/2009/11/thirukarthigai-recipes-karthigai-deepam.html

Aval Pori and Nell Pori are the two famous dishes prepared on the auspicious occasion ofThirukarthigai/Karthigaideepam.

(All photographs have been sourced from the Net)

Greetings to everybody on the very auspicious occasion of Karthigai Deepam!