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Thiruvannamalai Deepam Illuminating the Spiritual Essence
Kindling the Sacred Flame Exploring the Radiance of Thiruvannamalai Deepam
Thiruvannamalai Deepam also known as Karthigai Deepam, is a traditional festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. This festival holds great cultural and spiritual significance, with roots dating back to ancient times. The festival is observed in the Tamil month of Karthigai, culminating on the full moon day of the Karthigai month, coinciding with the Karthigai star.
One of the prominent legends associated with this festival involves Lord Shiva demonstrating his supremacy over Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma by taking the form of a huge fire. This act of Lord Shiva, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance and the attainment of knowledge, led to the manifestation of the Arunachala hill in Thiruvannamalai. The hill is considered an embodiment of Lord Shiva, worshipped as the 'Agni Lingam' and representing one of the twelve jyotirlingas.
According to Hindu mythology and legends, Thiruvannamalai Deepam is associated with the divine supremacy of Lord Shiva. One of the key legends linked to this festival involves Lord Shiva manifesting as a huge fire to demonstrate his superiority over Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. This act of Lord Shiva led to the creation of the Arunachala hill in Thiruvannamalai, symbolizing his presence and power.
The festival of Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthigai month, coinciding with the Karthigai star. It is a festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The celebration involves lighting rows of clay oil lamps to ward off evil forces, usher in prosperity, and spread joy.
These sparks transformed into six babies who were cared for by the six Karthigai penngal (Karthigai stars) in Saravana Poigai, a lake. Goddess Parvati unified the six babies into one, giving rise to Muruga with six faces, known as Aarumugan in Tamil culture.
Another legend connects the festival to Lord Muruga, born from six sparks of fire and later unified into one baby by Goddess Parvati. This rich history and mythology underpin the significance of the Deepam lighting in Thiruvannamalai, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the divine presence of Lord Shiva
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