- Karthigai month, Krittika star
- Full moon night
- Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Kerala
Where it began
The festival is named after the month of Karthigai and the Krittika star, which rises with the full moon on this night.
Legend says Brahma and Vishnu argued about who was greater. Shiva appeared as an endless column of fire, and neither could find its top or bottom. The flame on Annamalai hill recalls that column of light.
Another story tells that Murugan was born as six babies raised by the six Krittika maidens, who were later joined into one by the goddess Parvati.
How it grew over time
Sangam age
Poems like Akananuru describe lamps lit on the Karthigai full moon as one of the oldest Tamil festivals.
Chola times
Inscriptions record lamp gifts to temples for the Karthigai festival.
Medieval period
The Annamalaiyar temple festival grew into a ten-day Brahmotsavam ending with the hilltop flame.
Today
Lakhs of people walk around the Tiruvannamalai hill and see the Maha Deepam.
How it is celebrated in different places
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
The Maha Deepam is lit on the 2,668 foot hill at dusk, seen from far away, and burns for days.
Tamil Nadu homes
Women draw kolams and set rows of agal vilakku lamps at doors, windows and walls.
Kerala
Called Thrikarthika, lamps are lit in homes and at temples for the goddess.
Sri Lanka
Tamil homes and temples light lamps and sweets like pori urundai are shared.
Karthigai Deepam moments
Karthigai Deepam today
On the evening, families clean the house and light clay lamps at every doorway and on the walls. Sweets like nei appam and puffed rice balls with jaggery are offered.
At Tiruvannamalai, the Bharani Deepam is lit at dawn inside the temple, and at dusk the Maha Deepam flames on the hilltop while crowds chant 'Annamalaiyarukku Arohara'.
