Karthigai Deepam festival begins in Tiruvannamalai

Chennai: The annual Karthigai Deepam festival commenced at the ancient Arunachaleshwar temple in Tiruvannamalai near here on Wednesday with Dwajarohanam. The event marks the hoisting of the temple flag atop the mast amidst the chant of Vedic mantras by priests.

The Karthikai Deepam falls on November 23 and this is celebrated in a grand manner as as a ten-day festival known as Karthigai Brahmotsavam at the temple, which attracts several lakhs of devotees. In view of the heavy influx of devotees to the pilgrim town, the temple authorities and district administration as well, have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival. Provision has been made to provide drinking water for the pilgrims.

On the first day of the festival, Lord Arunachaleswarar was taken out on the silver vahana in a grand procession. The Panchamurthis Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Parvathi were also taken out in the procession followed by Deeparadhana.

Various events have been planned for all the ten days. On the tenth day i.e. November 23, the festivities  starts at around 4 am. The Bharani Deepam is lit at the temple and the Mahadeepam is lit top the hill at around 6 pm. This is the most important ceremony during the Karthigai Deepam festival at Tiruvannamalai.

Lord Arunachaleswarar is represents agni here. The evening ceremony starts with Lord Periya nayagar's outing on the golden Rishaba vahanam.

A heavy posse of police would be deployed on Nov.23 taking into account lakhs of devotees who would come from nook and corners of Tamil Nadu and from other parts of the country to witness the magnificent event.