Chennai: The Arunachaleshwarar temple administration which is gearing up for the Karthigai deepam on November 17 is anticipating over 20 lakh devotees for the festival this year.
Elaborate arrangements have been made keeping in mind the requirement of the increasing number of devotees to the abode of Lord Siva who is represented in the form of fire in this ancient temple. As the grand event of lighting the Maha Deepam atop Thiruvannamalai hills — about 2,900 feet high — falls on Sunday, officials expect milling crowd.
“Nevertheless, arrangement will be put in place to help the lakhs of devotees witness the spectacular event,” an official said. Earlier in the day, Lord Arunachaleshwarar and His consort Sri Unnamalai Amman will be taken on a procession for the public to worship.
Every year, the Maha Deepam lit on the first day of the Tamil month of Karthigai, attracts lakhs of devotees, exceeding the previous year’s numbers; and last year about 15 lakh devotees visited the temple during the festival.
About 3,500 kg of ghee will be used to light the Maha Deepam and the temple authorities have appealed to the devotees to donate ghee to the temple. On all days of the Karthigai Brahmotsavam the Lord and Goddess, decked in dazzling robes and jewels are taken in procession on various vahanams or mounts.
It is said in a contest of supremacy over the other, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were asked to find the origin and end of Lord Mahadev who appeared as a never-ending flame of light.
Accordingly, both go in search of the destination and while Lord Vishnu returns and modestly admits his defeat, Lord Brahma claims that He has seen the beginning. Immediately, Lord Siva curses Lord Brahma for uttering a lie and says that he will not be worshipped in any temple on earth.
The state transport corporation will operate special buses for three days from November 16 to enable the devotees visit Thiruvannamalai and return to their districts.
