Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam 2017 deserves a special mention among the famous festivals of Tamil nadu. Thiruvannamalai, the South Indian State of Tamilnadu, celebrates this ten days long festival of lights.
First of all, Thiruvannamalai is one of the five temples for Lord Shiva representing the five cosmic elements. Also, in Thiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva is present in the form of a mountain and represents the cosmic element Fire.
The Karthikai Brahmothsavam, this year has seen an exotic commencement . The festival has started with the elaborate rituals and ceremonies at the Thiruvannamalai temple. The festival has started from 23rd November 2017 while the Celebrations and festivities spread the sanctity throughout the city
Tenth Day of the Festival:
And the significant day of this Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam 2017 falls on 2nd Dec 2017 where The rituals start at around four o’ clock in the early hours. And to mark the commencement of the “Periya Karthigai”, the temple authorities lit the Bharani Deepam at the temple.
In addition , they arrange to place an unimaginably huge cauldron filled with ghee at the top of the Thiruvannamalai hills. The designated people make a wick using several hundred meters of cotton cloths and finally here comes the most exciting and sacred moments of Karthikai Deepam. The authorities and the lead priest climb the hills and lit the lamp at around six o’ clock in the evening , whose light and glare radiate through several kilometers radius.
Most noteworthy information is that thousands of devotees assemble to witness this mega event where they feel the Lord’s presence in the form of fire. Light always brings a ray of hope into those who are in dark. Philosophically, we have to surrender ourselves to the feet of Lord Arunachaleswara. He will put all our sins into the fire and purify us. So, with this faith and belief, the devotees take the Lord around the temple.
And the procession takes place in the golden chariot which marks the grand conclusion of this ten days long Karthikai Brahmothsavam.Eventually,The devotees take back the blessings and the cherished memories from this vibrant sanctimonious place.
Photo by VinothChandar 
