Thiruvannamalai: Maha Deepam was lit at 6 pm today (6th) at Annamalai peak which is 2,668 feet high in Tiruvannamalai. Lakhs of devotees had darshan chanting Arokhara.
The Karthikai Deepa festival at Tiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple, which is known as the “Remembering Salvation”, started on 24th November last with the guardian goddess Durgai Amman Utsavam. Bidari Amman and Ganesha Utsavams were held successively. On November 27, flag hoisting was held on the golden flag tree in front of the Annamalaiyar Temple moolavar sanctum. Subsequently, the 10-day festival of Panchamurthys was held. In this, the Maha Therotam was held on the 3rd.
Maha Deepam, the main event of the festival, was lit today (6th). Special abhishekam was performed to Moolavar and Amman and Maha Deeparathan was shown. The Sivacharyas lit the Parani Deepam at Moolavar Sannadi at 3.40 am in order to emphasize that Egan – Many are Me. Later, the devotees visit the Parani Deepam. After this, Tirthavari was held in the Brahma Tirtha in the temple.
Arthanareeswarar presentation: Following this, all the Panchamurthys in special adornment rose one by one in the Maha Deepa Darshan Mandapam today (6th) evening. Later, the once-a-year Ardhanareeswarar display event took place around 5.50 pm. Ardhanareeswarar gave a place to Umaiyavala and presented the principle of equality of men and women to the world and beat him happily. Devotees had darshan of Ardhanareeswarar who came out through the golden flag tree and gave a show.
After the event presented by Ardhanareeswarar was completed, the lamp flame was lit in the Akanda with golden flag tree and the Barudaraja clan family lit the great lamp at the top of Annamalai, which is 2,668 feet high and is hailed as ‘Malaye Mahesan’ at 6 pm. Then the devotees chanted Arokara to Annamalai so that the sky vibrated. As the Lord appeared in the form of a torch, the steps of the Moolavar shrine in the Annamalaiyar temple were blocked. When the Maha Deepam was lit, the Annamalaiyar temple, which was decorated with electric lights, lit up. Similarly, electric lights were switched on in Tiruvannamalai town and surrounding villages. Devotees worshiped by lighting Akal lamps in the houses. About 2,000 devotees were allowed to climb the hill and visit the Mahadeepam.
Deepa Darshan for 11 days: Annamalaiyar’s Bhumi Festival was in full swing as fireworks were released into the sky and firecrackers exploded. Many devotees who were fasting completed their fast by consuming millet flour. Maha Deepa darshan can be seen for 11 consecutive days. Theppal Utsavam will be held for 3 days from tomorrow (December 7) in Iyankulam to cool down Annamalaiyar, who appeared in the form of a torch. The Krivalam of Nimnamulai Amman Satema Annamalaiyar will be held on 8th. The 17-day long Karthikai Deepa festival will conclude on the 10th with the Chandikeswarar Utsavam. The lamp ink collected from the kopparai is offered to the devotees during Arudra darshan. Hindu Religious Endowment Minister PK Shekharbabu and others participated and worshiped.
Vidya Vidya Krivalam: Devotees started going to Krivalam from 2 am today (6th) on the occasion of Karthika Deepa festival. They came to Krivalam and worshiped Annamalai, which is 14 km away, chanting ‘Om Namasivaya’.
The flow of devotees, which started to increase gradually, increased till after 3 pm. At dawn several lakhs of devotees went to Krivalam. Due to the full moon tomorrow (7th) following the festival of Karthika Deepa, the krivalam of the devotees will continue today for the 2nd day. 2,700 special buses and 63 trains will be operated till 8th for the devotees. 12 thousand guards were engaged in security. See > Karthigai Deepa Festival | Maha Deepam at Tiruvannamalai – Photo Gallery