Karthigai Deepam – An Overview !!

Karthigai Deepam is one of the most revered Hindu festivals in Southern India. In Tamilnadu, it is celebrated as the Festival of Lights and is observed on the Full Moon day in the month of Karthigai (November – December).

Unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most of the other parts of our country. One of the earliest references to this festival is found in Tamil Literature, Ahananuru that was written in the Sangam Age (200 BC – 300 AD). Even Avvaiyar, the renowned poetess mentioned about this festival in many of her songs as ‘Karthigai Peruvizha’.

As per Mythology, the Six Karthigai stars are considered as the 6 celestial ladies who took care of the 6 Divine babies in the Saravana Poigai (Tank). These 6 babies later joined to form Six- faced Lord Muruga. Since these saintly ladies helped in bringing up Lord Muruga, Lord Shiva blessed them immortality as ever living stars on the sky. It is believed that any worship to these 6 stars is equal to worshipping Lord Muruga Himself. Hence people worship these 6 Karthigai stars on this day by lighting rows of Oil Lamps (Deepam) in the evening.

Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. Rows of Agal vilakkus (Clay Lamps) are lit in every house. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off all the evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy.