The item has been added to your cart.Karthigai Deepam 2026: Date, Time, Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam & Significance
On November 13, 2026Karthigai Deepam 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 24. It is one of Tamil Nadu's important festivals of light. At Tiruvannamalai, the celebration reaches its peak with the Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill. Meanwhile, families light rows of Agal Vilakku, or traditional clay lamps, at home.
The festival honors Lord Shiva as the infinite flame of Arunachala. In addition, it has a close connection with Lord Muruga and Krittika, or Karthigai Nakshatra.
Families usually light lamps during the evening. At Tiruvannamalai, priests traditionally light the Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill around evening. However, the final ceremonial time may change.
Therefore, devotees planning a visit should check the official temple or district schedule. For more details, explore AstroVed's Karthigai Deepam guide.
Karthigai Deepam 2026 at a Glance
Karthigai Deepam 2026 falls on November 24. Karthigai Nakshatra begins at 2:02 AM and ends at 11:25 PM. At Tiruvannamalai, priests traditionally light the Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill in the evening. Travellers should check the final temple schedule before visiting.
Table of Contents
| 1 | 2026 Date & Time |
| 2 | Meaning & Significance |
| 3 | Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam |
| 4 | Home Celebration & Lamps |
| 5 | Girivalam, Offerings & Benefits |
| 6 | FAQs |
Karthigai Deepam 2026 Date and Time
Karthigai Deepam 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 24, during the Tamil month of Karthigai.| Festival Date | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 |
| Tamil Month | Karthigai |
| Karthigai Nakshatra Begins | 2:02 AM, November 24 |
| Karthigai Nakshatra Ends | 11:25 PM, November 24 |
| Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam | Traditionally around 6:00 PM |
Bharani Deepam and Maha Deepam
Tiruvannamalai observes both Bharani Deepam and Maha Deepam during the festival. Bharani Deepam takes place inside Arunachaleswarar Temple before dawn. Later, priests light the Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill. Thus, both rituals form part of the same Karthigai Deepam celebration.
Meaning and Significance of Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam is a Tamil festival of lamps celebrated during the month of Karthigai. "Deepam" means lamp or sacred light. Meanwhile, "Karthigai" refers to the Tamil month and the Krittika star. The main symbol of the festival is light overcoming darkness. For devotees, the lamp represents spiritual awareness and clarity. Therefore, lighting a lamp also becomes a reminder to overcome inner ignorance.Lord Shiva as the Infinite Flame
The main Shiva tradition behind Karthigai Deepam describes Lord Shiva appearing as an endless pillar of fire. According to tradition, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu once disagreed about who was greater. Lord Shiva then appeared as an immeasurable column of fire. Lord Vishnu travelled downward to find its base. Meanwhile, Lord Brahma travelled upward to find its top. However, neither could discover the beginning or end. This experience revealed the limitless nature of Lord Shiva. Tradition connects this Divine manifestation with Arunachala. As a result, the Maha Deepam recalls Shiva as infinite Divine light.Lord Muruga and Krittika Nakshatra
Karthigai Deepam also has a close connection with Lord Muruga. According to tradition, six Divine sparks emerged from Lord Shiva. The six Krittika maidens then cared for them as six infants. Later, Goddess Parvati united the six forms into Lord Muruga. This six-faced form is known as Shanmuga. Therefore, Krittika Nakshatra holds special importance in Muruga worship. Learn more through AstroVed's Lord Muruga guide.Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam and Arunachala Hill
The Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam is the most famous public observance of Karthigai Deepam. During the evening, priests light a large sacred flame on the summit of Arunachala Hill. Devotees can see the flame from a great distance. For them, it represents Lord Shiva as Jyoti, or Divine light. In addition, Tiruvannamalai holds temple rituals and processions during the wider festival period.Arunachala as the Sacred Fire Hill
Arunachala Hill is more than the setting for the festival. In Shaiva tradition, devotees revere Arunachala itself as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Arunachaleswarar Temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. These five Shiva temples represent the five natural elements. At Tiruvannamalai, Shiva represents Agni, or fire. Therefore, Arunachala itself recalls Shiva's infinite column of fire. Explore AstroVed's guide to Arunachalam Temple at Tiruvannamalai.Karthigai Deepam 2026
Join the Festival of Divine Light
Place your Sankalpam in traditional Shiva worship for Karthigai Deepam.
Participate in Worship →Karthigai Deepam Celebration at Home
Karthigai Deepam can be observed simply at home through lamps, prayer and family worship. Families usually clean the home and prayer space before arranging the lamps. A simple celebration can follow these steps:- Clean the home and prayer area.
- Draw a Kolam if your family follows this tradition.
- Place clay Agal Vilakku near entrances, windows and the prayer area.
- Add suitable oil or ghee and cotton wicks.
- Light the lamps safely during the evening.
- Offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga.
- Chant prayers followed in your family tradition.
- Offer fruits, sweets or traditional Karthigai dishes.
- Perform Aarti.
- Finally, share Prasadam with the family.
Agal Vilakku and the Meaning of Lamps
Agal Vilakku are traditional clay lamps used during Karthigai Deepam. Families place them near doors, windows, balconies and prayer spaces. The flame also has a spiritual meaning. It represents Divine knowledge and awareness. Therefore, the lamp reminds devotees to move from darkness toward wisdom. The lamps at home also create a symbolic connection with the Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill.Girivalam, Offerings and Traditional Benefits
Girivalam Around Arunachala Hill
Girivalam is the sacred walk around Arunachala Hill at Tiruvannamalai. "Giri" means hill. "Valam" refers to going around it with reverence. The traditional Girivalam route is about 14 kilometres. Devotees usually walk clockwise while praying or chanting. Karthigai Deepam attracts many pilgrims. Therefore, visitors should follow current traffic and crowd-control instructions. In addition, devotees should plan for personal safety during the pilgrimage.Karthigai Deepam Offerings and Prasadam
Karthigai Deepam offerings vary between families and regions. Common offerings include:- Karthigai Pori, or puffed rice
- Pori Urundai, or puffed-rice balls
- Appam
- Adhirasam
- Ellu Urundai, or sesame sweets
- fruits
- betel leaves and areca nut
- simple homemade sweets
Traditional Benefits of Karthigai Deepam Worship
Karthigai Deepam is traditionally observed as a festival of spiritual light and devotion. Devotees may pray for:- greater spiritual clarity
- inner peace
- freedom from pride and ego
- strength during difficult periods
- family harmony
- Divine guidance
- deeper devotion to Lord Shiva
- courage and wisdom through Lord Muruga
- spiritual growth
Can't Be in Tiruvannamalai?
Offer Your Prayers From Wherever You Are
Take part in sacred Karthigai Deepam worship performed on your behalf.
Explore Deepam Worship →Key Takeaways
- Karthigai Deepam 2026 falls on November 24.
- Karthigai Nakshatra begins at 2:02 AM and ends at 11:25 PM.
- Tiruvannamalai celebrates Maha Deepam on Arunachala Hill.
- The festival recalls Shiva's infinite form as Divine fire.
- Lord Muruga is connected with Krittika Nakshatra.
- Families traditionally light rows of Agal Vilakku.
- Girivalam is the sacred walk around Arunachala Hill.
- Karthigai Pori and Pori Urundai are common offerings.
