What is Karthigai Deepam and Date 2024

Karthigai Deepam is the traditional festival of lights. The Hindus of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka celebrate it. Here, you will come to know about the Karthigai Deepam Festival and its Date, 2024.

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What is Karthigai Deepam?

Karthigai Deepam is an ancient festival that is mainly celebrated by Tamil Hindus. This festival is also known as Karthikai Vilakkidu or Thrikkarthika.

It’s a festival of lights and is celebrated in the month of Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December) as per the South Indian calendar. The main celebrations are held on the full moon day in the month of Karthigai.

This festival welcomes Goddess Karthiyayeni Bhagavati (Chottanikkara Amma). Moreover, the name of this festival is taken from the name of the God Kartikeya.

Karthika Deepam festival is related to Kartik Purnima, which is mainly celebrated in North India.

The Hindus of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka celebrate this festival by lighting oil lamps in Lord Shiva temples during Karttikai.

Apart from this, Hindus read Kartika Puranam and keep fast every day till sunset for the whole month.

The Swaminarayan Sampradaya also celebrates this festival with faith and fervor.

On the whole, Karthigai Deepam happens to be one of the most important festivals of the ancient Tamils.

References to this festival can be found in the book of poems known as “Aganaanooru,” which belongs to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.).

Avaiyyar (the renowned poet of ancient times) has dedicated many songs to this festival. The festival also finds references in Sangam literature, such as Akanaṉūṟu.

Story behind Karthigai Deepam

The Hindu scriptures state that once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu started fighting regarding their superiority.

They thought that each one was stronger than the other.

When they were involved in fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of an endless flame of light.

Lord Shiva told them that the matter could be settled if they could search for his top and bottom.

To search for Lord Shiva’s feet, Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and dived deep.

Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and went upwards toward the skies, searching for Lord Shiva’s head.

Lord Vishnu tried very hard but failed in his search and returned.

However, though Lord Brahma failed to find the top of the endless flame of light, he claimed that he had found the other’s top. He seized a flower (known as Thazhambu) floating for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva’s head.

Lord Shiva realized Lord Brahma’s falsehood and proclaimed that there would be no temple for Lord Brahma in this world. Moreover, Lord Shiva also interdicted the use of the flower Thazhambu in his worship.

The day when Lord Shiva appeared as a flame of light is now celebrated as Karthigai or Karthikai Maha Deepam.

History related with Karthigai Deepam Festival

Karthigai Deepam is an age-old festival. It is a festival of lights. Many citations to this festival have been found in ancient writings.

For example, a reference to this festival can be found in the ancient Tamil literature known as Ahananuru, a collection of poems. This book belongs to the Sangam literature that has recorded happenings between 200 B.C. and 300 A.D.

Even Avaiyyar (a renowned poet of the Sangam age) has mentioned Karthika Deepam in her poems.

Sri Annamalai Hill in Thiruvannamalai is closely related to the Karthigai Deepam festival. People lit huge lights during 5 PM and believe that this will bring them close to Lord Shiva on Karthika Deepam festival.

Lord Shiva is regarded as the protector of the world. People have complete faith in Lord Shiva and believe that He will end their sorrows and take great care of them.

People believe that Lord Shiva will fulfill all their desires and pray to him. They believe that Lord Shiva will shed His blessings on the Karthigai Deepam festival, and people believe that this festival of lights will bring joy to their lives.

Celebrations related to Karthika Deepam

Karthika Deepam is a festival of lamps.

Tamil Hindus light clay oil lamps in their house.

The lighted lamp is regarded as an auspicious symbol. People believe that it will dispel evil forces and bring prosperity and joy to their lives.

In fact, a lighted lamp is an important part of the Karthigai Deepam festival.

This festival also commemorates the loving bonding between brothers and sisters of South India. It is synonymous with Bhai Dhooj and Rakhi, which is celebrated in North India.

Sisters pray for the well-being and prosperity of their brothers. They light lamps to mark the occasion.

In Telugu households, people light oil lamps in the Kartheeka month.

On the full moon day of Kartheeka month, people light an oil lamp with 365 wicks (prepared at home) in Shiva’s temples.

People also read Kaartheeka Puranam and keep fast till sunset every day for the whole month.

Karthigai Deepam Date 2024

Karthika Deepam is an old-age festival of lights that is mainly celebrated by Tamil Hindus. This festival is celebrated in the month of Karthikai. The day of Karthigai Deepam has been based depending on Tamil Solar Calendar.

The Karthika Deepam will be celebrated on 13th December 2024, Friday.