Festivities – Beautiful Life

Selected extract from wiki relevant for தமிழ் இந்துக்கள் to understand the origin and rationale for this festival of lights:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karthika_Deepam

Karthika Deepam, Thrikarthika or Karthikai Vilakkidu is a festival of lights that is observed by Hindus of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. It falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. The full moon day of this Karthigai month is called Karthigai pournami. The name of the festival born from the name of the god Kartikeya. In Tamil calendar the name of this month is called as Kārthikai (கார்த்திகை). The Kartika month starts on the day of Deepavali. From that day till the end of the month, oil lamps are lit every day. On Karthika Puranam (full moon of Kartheeka month) oil lamp with 365 wicks, prepared at home, are lit in Lord Shiva temples. Apart from that, Kartika Puranam is read and fasting is observed till sunset, every day for the whole month.

One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Aganaanooru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Aganaanooru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the month of Karthigai, as per South Indian calendar. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils

The story of six stars

Many legends and lyrical poetry have grown around this star. The six stars are considered in Indian mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies in the Saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. They are Dula, Nitatni, Abhrayanti, Varshayanti, Meghayanti and Chipunika. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the incarnation of Lord Shiva as his second son after Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Lord Shiva created Muruga from his 3rd eye of six primary faces (Tatpurusam, Aghoram, Sadyojatam, Vamadevam, Eesanam, Adhomukam. It is believed that the six forms made into six children and each of them brought up by the six Karthigai nymphs (Śiva, Sambhūti, Prīti, Sannati, Anasūya and Kṣamā and later merged into one by his mother Parvati.

While merging he also formed into a six faced (Arumugam and twelve handed god. The Lord Murugan is also portrayed with his six plays and worshiped with six names.

As the six nymphs helped in growing the child, Lord Shiva blessed immortality to the six nymphs as ever living stars on the sky. Any worship performed to this six stars is equal to worshiping Lord Muruga himself. They are worshiped by lighting up rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the festival day around the houses and streets. Karthikai Deepam is also known as Kartikeya, or Muruga’s birthday.

Mythological references

Lord Shiva appeared as an endless flame of light before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who each considered himself supreme and said that the matter could be tested if the two could search for Lord Shiva’s Head and feet. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (Sanskrit:Varaha, Tamil:Varaham(pandri) ) and delved deep into the earth, Lord Brahma that of a swan(Sanskrit:Hansa, Tamil:Annam) and flew towards the skies. Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned. But Lord Brahma, chancing upon a piece of Thazhambu, a flower, learnt from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva’s head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen the other’s top. Lord Siva realized the falsehood and pronounced that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also interdicted the use of the flower Thazhambu in his worship. Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is called Karthikai Maha Deepam.

Celebrations

Rows of Agal vilakkus (Clay Oil lamps) are lit in every house. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(analogous to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.

Quirky Note:

One thing I remember about this festival. It was 2003, the year we were married. The customary thing is that every single festival that comes during the 1st year needs to be celebrated with much fanfare as the girl has switched houses after marriage. To make her feel comfortable and not to miss out on any occasion which she would have celebrated had she been with her parents, it is the duty of the husband and in laws to ensure that she enjoys the festivals to her satisfaction. Unfortunately, I worked for Cognizant and used to work crazy long hours during those years. My Parents did their bit and She waited for me having lit the lamps decked up in Sari et all….and I came home after 9 PM or so. By then, she changed into her night dress and was thoroughly disappointed with me. Hopefully, I made up to her in the ensuing years…but knowing her…such memories never fade away…just on a lighter vein…

2020 celebrations