Significance of Karthigai Deepam

Karthigai Deepam is one of the most revered Hindu festivals in the Southern India. The houses are adorned with beautifully lit lamps to ward off negativity and bring in peace and prosperity into their lives. Women worship for the wellbeing of their families and especially for their children’s happiness.

Spiritual Significance of Karthigai Deepam

The lighting of the lamp has a very special spiritual significance. The wick in the lamp denotes our ego, the oil in the lamp symbolizes our inborn nature that cultures the ego and the flame denotes the spiritual wisdom that can inflame the ego (wick) by burning out our innate behavior (oil). Therefore, the lighting of the lamps simply represents the victory of good over evil. On the day of Deepam, people light lamps in their houses to welcome prosperity and auspiciousness in their lives and ward off evil forces and negativities.

Legend associated with Karthigai Deepam

According to mythology, Lord Shiva was very disheartened over his consort Parvati’s death and went into a deep trance to seclude himself. Then Parvati reincarnated as Sati and gave birth to 6 babies, who were taken care by the six Krittika stars. On the day of Deepam, Sati united all the six babies into one god with immense power and force. According to another legend, Lord Muruga, as he grew up is believed to have unveiled the true meaning of the ultimate word – “OM” to his father, Lord Shiva. Therefore, Lord Muruga acted as a teaching guide and enlightened Lord Shiva with the true essence of the sacred “OM”. The victory of Goddess Parvati over the demon Mahishasura is also celebrated by lighting lamps on the day of Deepam. Hence, this festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, both spiritually and materially.

Karthigai Deepam Celebration

People celebrate Karthigai Deepam by lighting clay lamps all over their houses to eradicate negativities and bring in wealth and abundance into their families. In recent years, lamps are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Women light lamps all over their houses to spread happiness and pray for the welfare of their loved ones. The lamp is symbolized as the lingam form of Lord Shiva and people revere the Supreme God on Deepam to fulfill all their earnest wishes. Even in the modern age, people value the tradition and customs of Indian festivals and take part in the ceremonies to spend quality time with their families and share their happiness.