Annamalaiyar Temple – Karthikai Dheepam Festival
Many festivals are celebrated at Annamalaiyar temple in
Thiruvannamalai throughout the year. Among them Karthigai Deepam is the
most significant festival that is celebrated with pomp and gaiety at
Annamalaiyar temple. This Karthigai Deepam is celebrated as a ten day festival
and it widely known as Karthigai Brahmotsavam.
First Day:
Karthika Deepam festival begins with the hosting of the
flag signifying the commencement of the festival also known as Dwajaroghanam.
In the morning and night Lord Annamalaiyar will be taken out on the silver
vahana for procession.
The Panchamurthis (Panchamoorthigal) are also taken out
in the procession. The Panchamoorthigal are Ganapathi, Murugan, Sandeswarar, Annamalaiyar
and Parvathi.
These processions are carried out on different vahanams
after the Deeparadhana is done at the kalyana mandapam.
Second Day:
Karthigai Deepam festival commences with the Lord Panchamoorthigal
coming on Indira Vimanam the chariot of Lord Indira.
Third Day:
Karthigai Deepam festival begins at night with the Lord Panchamoorthigal
coming in procession majestically on the Simha vahana, the chariot of lion.
Fourth Day:
Lord Panchamoorthigal comes in the procession that
starts at night on the Kamadhenu vahanam. The auspicious tree Karpaviruksha is
also on the side of the lord. This tree is believed to grant all the wishes
that the devotees seek without fail.
Fifth Day:
Karthikai Deepam festival begins at night. This
procession on the silver rishaba vahanam is very appealing and splendid to
witness.
Lord Panchamoorthigal goes on this vahana that is about
25 feet tall. A big umbrella with about 17 feet in diameter is carried along in
the procession.
Sixth Day:
Karthigai Deepam festival commences with a night
procession of Lord Panchamoorthigal on the silver chariot that is beautifully
crafted and simply imposing when it comes around the temple.
Seventh Day:
Lord Panchamoorthigal starts with the procession on the Maha
Ratham that is very huge and it almost occupies the full width of the
road. This Ratham is made of pure wood that is strong and rugged.
Eighth Day:
Karthigai Deepam festival begins at night with the Lord Panchamoorthigal
going out on procession on the huge horse vahana. The specialty of this horse
is that all the four legs of this horse are in the air and they do not touch
the ground.
Ninth Day:
Devotees can witness Lord Panchamoorthigal going out
procession on the Kailasa Vahanam. This ceremony is mostly conducted on the
ninth night.
Tenth Day:
Karthigai Deepam festival starts at around four o clock
in the early hours and the Bharani Deepam is lit at the temple. In the evening
the Maha deepam is lit on the top of the hill at around six o clock.
This is a very important ceremony during the Karthigai
Deepam festival at Thiruvannamalai. Annamalaiyar is said to be visually
represented in the form of Agni on the hill top.
There is a very mammoth gathering on this day at the Annamalaiyar
temple to witness this glorious and sacred event. The night ceremony starts
with Lord Periya Nayagar going out procession on the Rishaba vahanam that is
made of gold. This is another spectacular event at Annamalaiyar temple at Thiruvannamalai.
Theppal:
Lord Chandrashekarar, Lord Parasakthi, and Lord
Subramaniar go in the boat and this is called Theppam, since it carried out in
the tank. Lord Annamalaiyar goes procession round the hill, known as Girivalam
or pradhakshina.
With this ceremony the Karthigai Deepam festival at Annamalaiyar temple comes to a grand conclusion with the devotees taking back home some divine blessings and memories from this ancient holy city Thiruvannamalai.
With this ceremony the Karthigai Deepam festival at Annamalaiyar temple comes to a grand conclusion with the devotees taking back home some divine blessings and memories from this ancient holy city Thiruvannamalai.