The Tiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam Festival 2023 is a grand celebration that takes place at the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai. This festival holds immense significance and is observed with great enthusiasm. This year, the Karthigai Deepam falls on November 26th, 2023. The festival lasts for ten days and is known as the Karthigai Brahmotsavam festival.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 1
On the first day of the festival, known as Friday (17.11.2023), the Karthigai Deepam Brahmotsavam commences with the hoisting of the flag, symbolizing the beginning of the festivities. Lord Arunachaleswarar, along with the Panchamurthis (Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar, and Goddess Parvathi), is taken out in a procession on different vahanas after the Deeparadhana at the kalyana mandapam.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 2
The second day of the festival, Saturday (18.11.2023), witnesses the Lord Panchamoorthigal being carried on the Indira Vimanam, the chariot of Lord Indira. The Lord Arunachaleswarar Alangaram is also adorned during the Karthigai Deepam Festival.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 3
On the third day, Sunday (19.11.2023), the Karthigai Deepam Brahmotsavam festival begins with the ceremony of 1008 Sangu Abishekam in the morning, followed by a majestic procession of the Lord Panchamurthis on the Simha vahana, the lion chariot, at night.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 4
The fourth day, Monday (20.11.2023), features a procession of the Lord Panchamurthis on the kamadhenu vahanam, starting at night. The auspicious Karpaviruksha tree believed to fulfill devotees’ wishes, is also present alongside the Lord.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 5
The fifth day, Tuesday (21.11.2023), commences with the Kalasa Pooja during the day, followed by a splendid procession on the silver Rishabh vahanam at night. Lord Panchamoorthigal is carried on this 25-foot tall vahana, accompanied by a large umbrella measuring 17 feet in diameter.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 6
The sixth day, Wednesday (22.11.2023), begins with the procession of the 63 Nayanmarkal in the morning and continues with the procession of Lord Panchamurthis on the beautifully crafted and imposing silver chariot at night.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 7
Thursday (23.11.2023), the seventh day of the festival, sees the Lord Panchamurthis being carried on the Maha ratham, a huge wooden chariot that occupies the entire width of the road.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 8
On the eighth day, Friday (24.11.2023), Lord Panchamurthis embarks on a procession on a majestic horse vahana, where all four legs of the horse are in the air. In the night, Lord Sri Pichandavar Utsavam proceeds in a procession.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 9
The ninth day, Saturday (25.11.2023), witnesses Lord Panchamurthis being carried on the Kailasa Vahanam during a nighttime procession, which is a customary practice.
Karthigai Deepam Festival Day 10
Finally, on ththe tenth day, Sunday (26.11.2023), the Karthigai Deepam festival commences at approximately four o’clock in the early hours, with the lighting of Bharani Deepam at the temple. In the afternoon, there is the Sri Subramaniyar Brahma Theertha Kulam Theerthavari Festival, followed by the lighting of the Mahadeepam on top of the hill at approximately six o’clock. This ceremony is a crucial part of the festival, as it represents Lord Panchamoorthigal Darshan, Lord Arthanareeswarar Alangaram Darshan, and Maha Deepam (Maha Jothi Darshan). The Arunachaleswarar is visually represented as agni (fire) on the hilltop. This momentous and sacred event draws a massive gathering at the Arunachaleswarar temple.
After this, the festival concludes with the night ceremony, where Lord Periya Nayagar proceeds in a procession on the Rishaba vahanam, made of gold. This event adds to the magnificence of the Karthigai Deepam festival at the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai.
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