How to Light the Karthigai Deepam
The day of Karthigai Nakshatram in the month of Karthigai, in the evening after sunset.
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Significance
An ancient Tamil festival when the whole house is lit up with agal vilakku (small clay lamps). In many homes, the lamps are lit at the time the Maha Deepam is lit at Thiruvannamalai.
Things you need
- Agal vilakku (clay lamps)
- Nallennai (sesame oil) or ghee, wicks
- Kolam powder
- Pori urundai (puffed rice balls), appam, adai
- Flowers, camphor
How to do it
- Clean the house and draw a kolam at the front door.
- Wash the clay lamps in water and let them dry.
- Make pori urundai, appam and adai, and offer them in the pooja room.
- In the evening, first light the lamp in the pooja room and pray.
- From that lamp, light the clay lamps and place them in rows at the front door, the thinnai (front porch), the wall niches, the thulasi maadam (thulasi stand) and the terrace.
- Stand outside with your family, pray to the lamps and eat the prasadam.
Please note
- Do not place the clay lamps near children's clothes, curtains or firecrackers. Watch children in silk pavadai (long skirts) carefully.
This is only a general guide. If your family custom is different, follow that. Ask your elders and your priest.