Bharani Deepam light today morning in Tiruvannamalai

Lakhs of devotees participate in the Karthigai Deepam festival here on Friday.

The festivity began with the lighting of the ‘Bharani Deepam’ (earthen lamp) in the ‘ardha mandapam’ of Arunachaleswarar temple at 4 am. A large number of people worshipped the lamp as it was taken around by a priest.