Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns and the devotional chorus of “Annamalaiyarukku Arohara”, the grand 10-day Karthigai Maha Deepam festival commenced on Monday at the world-renowned Lord Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.The festivities officially began with temple priests hoisting the holy flag atop the golden flagmast (Dwajasthambam) within the temple premises, marking the start of one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant spiritual events.
This year, the festival will conclude on December 3 with the sacred lighting of the Maha Deepam at 6.00 pm atop the 2,668-feet high Annamalai Hills. Earlier that day, the Bharani Deepam will be lit at 4.00 am inside the sanctum sanctorum, following long-standing temple traditions.
At the precise moment of 6.00 pm, soon after the Ardhanareeswarar deity is taken in a ceremonial procession around the flagmast, the Maha Deepam will be ignited on the hilltop. The massive fire is lit in a huge copper cauldron holding more than 3,000 kg of ghee and around 2 kg of camphor. A specially prepared wick, more than 1,000 metres long, enables the brilliant flame to burn continuously, visible for miles around for nearly ten days.
According to legend, the Maha Deepam symbolizes Lord Shiva’s manifestation as an infinite pillar of fire — the eternal Jyotirlinga — revealing his supremacy before Brahma and Vishnu.
Karthigai Deepam, celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai, is believed to be over 3,000 years old with references in ancient Tamil scriptures, making it one of the oldest festivals known to Tamil civilization.
After the lighting of the Maha Deepam, lakhs of devotees undertake the sacred Girivalam — the 14-km circumambulation around the holy Annamalai hill.
Every year, 20 to 30 lakh devotees arrive in Tiruvannamalai to witness the Deepam. Crowd numbers are expected to rise even further this year.
Tamil Nadu Government will run additional special buses from across the state
Special ticket counters and designated parking areas will be opened
Drinking water, sanitation facilities and other amenities will be strengthened
Meanwhile, Southern Railway will operate special EMU and MEMU train services for devotees.
More than 10,000 police personnel, including reinforcements from neighbouring districts, will be deployed across the town to manage the massive gathering. CCTV cameras have been installed at key locations to monitor crowd movement and ensure safety.