Karthika Deepam

Kartika Deepam
Kolam and agal vilakku (oil lamp) arranged for the occasion of Kartika Deepam.
Observed byHindus Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kenya, Australia, Russia, Tamil Diaspora, Caribbean Madrasi Communities
SignificanceShiva's manifestation of the Jyotirlinga
Origin of Kartikeya
Veneration of Nikaramma Bhagavati
Vamana's victory over Mahabali
CelebrationsPuja, celebrations, lighting of bonfires and lamps
2023 date25 November
2024 date13 December
FrequencyAnnual

The Pleiades (Kartika) constellation.

Kartika Deepam (Tamil: கார்த்திகை தீபம், romanized: Kārtikai tīpam) is a festival of lights that is observed mainly by Hindu Tamils, and also by adherents in the regions of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Sri Lanka. Celebrated in Tamilakam and Sri Lanka since the ancient period,[1] the festival is held on the full moon day of the Kartika (கார்த்திகை) month, called the Kartika Pournami, falling on the Gregorian months of November or December.[2] It is marked on the day the full moon is in conjunction with the constellation of Kartika. It corresponds to the occasion of the Kartika Purnima, though it falls on a different day due to the correction of equinoxes in the Tamil calendar.[3]

In Kerala, this festival is known as Trikkartika, celebrated in the honour of Chottanikkara Bhagavati, a form of Lakshmi. It is celebrated in the name of Lakshabba in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.

  1. ^ Gajrani, S. (2004). History, Religion and Culture of India. Gyan Publishing House. p. 207. ISBN 978-81-8205-061-7. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  2. ^ Spagnoli, Cathy; Samanna, Paramasivam (1999). Jasmine and Coconuts: South Indian Tales. Libraries Unlimited. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-56308-576-5. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  3. ^ Naganath, Dr S. Srikanta Sastri, English Translation by S. (11 May 2022). Indian Culture: A Compendium of Indian History, Culture and Heritage. Notion Press. p. 374. ISBN 978-1-63806-511-1. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)