kaarthigai Deepam

Photos by Powell woods

This is the image that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam, the festival of lights that is celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of Karthigai (November-December). Not many of us are aware that it is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the State, perhaps even before people began celebrating Deepavali and Navarathri. Also, unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country.  There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two.  While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarreling and decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar. Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth.  But even after searching for several years, neither of the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realized that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva. Soon after wards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.'  The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga.  Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.  There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarreling and decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar. Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. But even after searching for several years, neither of the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realized that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva. Soon after wards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.'  The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga.  Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.  Along with lighting the earthen lamps there is another event is also done by the people. That is moreover like firing the sparks which is called 'Karthi' suttruthal (spring the Karthi). That's very joyful and interesting to do. But at the same time we should be very careful in spinning it. That doesn't contain any chemicals used to make fire crackers. Making 'Karthi" is very interesting process. Palm Flowers look like cone and they are similar to pine cones in texture. It is a thin long cone, and these cones are gathered and baked on to say burnt on underground without contact of air. Then it becomes like charcoal. this charcoal is powdered and some coconut rusk is added. This mixture is placed in a piece of cloth, usually household old rags and rolled into a neat bunch. The bundle is placed in a wedge between a strong stem of a palm leaf. A cord is attached to the contraption. Fire is placed on top of the cloth bundle and when it starts to blister the whole setup is sprung in circle and fire sparks starts and it looks really beautiful to see. Part of Article by Leo John Britto and From Internet Head of Creative Sony