Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals of lights in India, mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature written nearly two thousand years ago. It is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai, on the day the moon is in the star Krittika (Karthigai), which usually falls on or near the full moon in November or December. In Kerala, a similar festival is called Thrikarthika.
The story behind the lamps
The legend tells of Brahma and Vishnu arguing over who was greater. Shiva appeared between them as an endless column of fire and challenged them to find its beginning and end. Vishnu, as a boar, dug deep into the earth; Brahma, as a swan, flew high into the sky — and neither could find the end. The column of light is remembered every year on Karthigai Deepam. The day is also connected with Murugan, who was raised by the six Krittika maidens.
The Maha Deepam at Tiruvannamalai
The festival’s heart is the Arunachaleswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai. After a ten-day temple festival, at dusk on Karthigai Deepam a huge flame — the Maha Deepam — is lit in a giant cauldron on top of the Annamalai hill. It can be seen for miles and keeps burning for days, and lakhs of devotees gather to see it and walk around the hill.
How families celebrate at home
- Agal vilakku: rows of small clay oil lamps are placed on doorsteps, windows, walls and kolams, lit at sunset, often for three days.
- Kolam: fresh rice-flour kolams are drawn in front of the house.
- Food: pori urundai (puffed rice balls in jaggery), appam, adai and vadai are made and shared.
- Sisters: in many families, the festival is also a day to pray for brothers’ wellbeing.
What to wear for Karthigai Deepam
- Traditional choices: cotton or silk sarees for women, pattu pavadai for girls, veshti for men.
- Colours of lamp-light: maroon, deep red, mustard, turmeric yellow and temple gold glow beautifully in the light of the diyas.
- Safety first: with dozens of open flames at home, keep dupattas and pallus secured and choose cotton over synthetics.
Browse the festive season collection for cotton and chanderi pieces in warm, lamp-lit shades.
When is Karthigai Deepam?
It is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai on the day of the Krittika star, usually in late November or early December.
Karthigai Deepam vazhthukkal.
