|
Karthigai day synchronizing with the full moon
day, the deity, Ardhanareeswarar is taken out to this place with the
five deepams, which are put in a big receptacle near the flug-stuff.
At the same time the beacon light on the hill is lit. The huge
concourse of devotees from all parts of our country in a million
voice raise a cry simultaneously "Harohara to Annamalai" which will
rend the air. It is a sight for the Gods to see!
ROWS OF agal vilakkus in front of every house... this is the image
that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam - the
festival of lights that is celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during
the month of Karthigai (November-December). Not many of us are aware
that it is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the State,
perhaps even before people began celebrating Deepavali and
Navarathri. Also, unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is
basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other
parts of the country.
One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the
Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200
B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is
celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of
Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of
the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times,
refers to the festival in her songs.
Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is
considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil
forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is
important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable
for Karthigai.
Legend !
There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai
and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to
quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were
fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge
pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarrelling and
decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar.
Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards.
Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into
the earth. But even after searching for several years, neither of
the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realised
that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva.
Soon afterwards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at
Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai'
and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.' The Shivalinga in
the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the
Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the
miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year thousands of
devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see
the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.
Geographic accessibility
This town Thiruvannamalai is situated in 187 kilometers away from
Chennai, formerly known as Madras- Capital of Tamil Nadu and there
is a railway station on the villupuram - Katpadi rail route. This
town stands on an elevation of 266ft ( 79.80 M ) above sea level.
|
