In connection with the sacred Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam festival, the Pallavaram Arunachala Seva Trust conducted the traditional Thirukkudai Ubhaya ceremony for the Panchamurthis. The event was held in a grand and devotional manner yesterday (23.11.2025), Sunday.
The grand Thirukarthigai Deepam festival at the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai commenced today (24.11.2025) with the traditional hoisting of the holy flag on the 64-foot-tall golden flag mast, marking the auspicious beginning of the celebrations.
Following the flag hoisting ceremony, a special procession is being held on the Panchamurthigala Mada Street, featuring the divine idols carried in the magnificent silver Indra Vimana, witnessed by thousands of devotees with devotion and enthusiasm.
The festival will continue with several sacred rituals and spiritual events leading up to the Maha Deepam lighting on the hill.
Ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival, the Sri Durga Amman Theruveethi Ula was held grandly at the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple, Thiruvannamalai, on 21.11.2025. Special abhishekam, pooja and deeparathanai were performed, followed by the Mada Veedhi procession. Hundreds of devotees participated and received the blessings of Sri Durga Amman.
The sacred town of Tiruvannamalai is glowing with devotion as the renowned Annamalaiyar Temple has been beautifully illuminated ahead of the auspicious Karthigai Deepam festival.
The Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple is set to host the Karthigai Deepam Festival 2025, starting on Monday, 24 November 2025.
Day 1 Highlights
Morning: The festival commenced with the traditional flag hoisting (Kodiyetram)
Evening: Panchamoorthis (the five deities) will take a ceremonial procession along the streets in silver vimanas (chariots)
Night: Devotees will witness a grand procession featuring Silver Nandi, Lion, Peacock, and Mushika vahanas, enhancing the festive spirit
The festival marks a 10-day spiritual celebration culminating with the Maha Deepam on 3 December 2025, attracting thousands of devotees from across the country.
Girivalam (also known as Giri Pradakshina or Giri Valam) is a sacred practice of walking barefoot around the Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, covering a distance of approximately 14 kilometers. This ritual is performed by devotees in a clockwise direction and is considered a powerful spiritual journey dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is believed to manifest in the form of the Arunachala mountain. Each step in Girivalam symbolizes humility, devotion, and a desire to attain liberation (moksha).
Walking barefoot during Girivalam is a profound act of surrender and spiritual discipline. It represents leaving behind worldly attachments and connecting directly with the sacred earth of Arunachala. The barefoot walk signifies:
Saints like Sri Ramana Maharshi have emphasized the holiness of Arunachala’s soil, making every step taken barefoot a sacred offering.
While Girivalam can be undertaken on any day, specific times are considered especially auspicious and spiritually potent:
If you’re visiting Tiruvannamalai on a non-festival day, consider these timings for comfort and devotion:
| Time Slot | Reason |
|---|---|
| 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM | Peaceful, cool, ideal for meditation and sunrise darshan |
| 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds |
⚠️ Note: Avoid afternoons (11 AM to 4 PM), especially in summer, due to intense heat and risk of dehydration.
Prathosam event took place at the Arulmigu Om Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Below are some of the pictures showcasing the Prathosam event
s part of the grand Karthigai Deepam festival celebrations at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, the beautifully renovated Parashakthi Amman chariot was ceremoniously pulled by devotees this morning.
The chariot procession was filled with divine chants, traditional music, and thousands of devotees offering prayers, marking a spiritually vibrant start to the Deepam festivities.
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The Parashakti Amman Ther (Chariot) Festival has commenced today at Annamalaiyar Temple in Thiruvannamalai. The chariot, refurbished at a cost of ₹72 lakh and standing 48 feet tall, is being pulled by thousands of devoted devotees, marking the start of the grand festival celebrations.
The festival, held ahead of the Karthigai Deepam celebrations, attracts a large number of devotees who gather to receive the blessings of Parashakti Amman. During the festival days, the temple premises are filled with spiritual fervor and devotional enthusiasm.
Tamil Nadu is preparing to celebrate Thirukarthigai Deepam, one of the most revered festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan. This festival of divine light symbolizes purity, knowledge, and the triumph of goodness over darkness.
On the day of Thirukarthigai, devotees begin their day with an early morning bath and by lighting the first lamp at home — marking the start of the Deepam fast. Those who observe the fast traditionally avoid solid food, sustaining themselves on fruits and fruit juices throughout the day.
The highlight of the festival is the Karthigai Deepam Pooja, performed at home and in temples on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai. Devotees set up an altar with images of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan, decorate it with flowers, and light rows of lamps symbolizing divine energy and enlightenment.
According to custom, 27 lamps should be lit in specific places:
Two at the entrance
Two in the hallway
One in the kitchen
Four at the back of the house
Two before the deities
One Ema Deepam for protection from untimely death
Additionally, five lamps are lit on Bharani Deepam, marking the spiritual beginning of the festival. Devotees also visit nearby Shiva temples, lighting lamps with cow ghee, and offering prayers for prosperity and well-being.
At Tiruvannamalai, the celebration reaches its divine climax when the Maha Deepam is lit atop Arunachala Hill, representing Lord Shiva’s eternal flame. Witnessing this sacred light is considered highly auspicious and spiritually uplifting.
While Karthigai Deepam is observed throughout the month, Thirukarthigai day holds the greatest significance, coinciding with the full moon (Pournami). The festival’s date changes each year based on the lunar calendar.
As lamps glow across Tamil Nadu, Thirukarthigai Deepam reminds devotees to light not just their homes, but their hearts – with faith, wisdom, and the eternal light of the divine.
