Karthigai Deepam 2022 Date, Tithi Time, Rituals, Significance

Karthigai Deepam is a Hindu festival which is celebrated mainly by Tamil Hindus.

Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam as a traditional festival. It is a very old festival and is also celebrated in the neighbouring states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Karthigai Deepam festivities at Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwara Swamy temple are famous and popularly known as Karthikai Brahmotsavam.

Karthigai Deepam is lit after sunset at 6 p.m. with the flame taken from Bharani Deepam. In the evening flame is carried at the top of the hill to light the Karthigai Maha Deepam.

Karthigai Deepam on Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Karthigai Nakshathram Begins – 08:38 AM on Dec 06, 2022.

Karthigai Nakshathram Ends – 10:25 AM on Dec 07, 2022.

On the day, floral patterns called ‘Kolams’ are made with rice flour paste in front of the house to welcome the deities.

Lamps called ‘agal’ are then placed in front of God and are also used as decorations in the Kolams.

Fasts are also kept till sunset.

History of Karthigai Deepam: The actual history may not be clearly stated in the scriptures but some citations have been found in the ancient writings. One can find a reference to this festival of lights in the the age old literature of Tamils known as Ahananuru, a collection of poems. It is one of the great books of Sangam literature that talks about the happenings between 200 BC and 300 AD. Avaiyyar, renowned woman of Sangam age, also mentions about Karthigai Deepam in her poems.