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The Great Deepam Festival at Arunachala
Every minute that we spend in the Arunachala punya boomi (holy land) is special. Why, every minute that we think of Arunachala is special. But are there specific time periods which are even more special? Yes, say the
Siddhas.
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The Pournami full moon days of each month and the Karthigai Deepam day each year are particularly important.
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Why? Because the Pournami day marks the the apex of spirituality in each month and the Karthigai Deepam day commemorates the appearance of the Lord as a jothi
sthambam, an infinite pillar of light at Arunachala. Thus these days are particularly significant.
While we must perform giri valam and good deeds every day at Arunachala, the Pournami days and the Karthigai Deepam day are particularly important.
In fact, a period of ten days to a fortnight that make up the Karthigai Deepam festival at Arunachala is important. This period starts on the day the temple flag is unfurled on the dhvaja sthambam (flag pole) in the Arunachala temple and lasts until the day the deepa jothi flame at the peak of the Arunachala Hill is cooled down. This time period is the very very sacred; it's most ideal for
girivalam, worship of Arunachala and for rendering selfless service to the poor and the needy in Arunachala's name.
The Deepam Day at Arunachala
The Karthigai Deepam day is the Karthigai nakshatram day of the Karthigai maasam (generally mid November - mid December of each year). On this day, at 6 p.m. Indian Standard time (1230 hours GMT), deepa jothi flames are lit at the peak of the Arunachala hill to mark the Lord's appearance as a jothi
sthambam, an infinite pillar of light. The Lord's jothi sthambam form perplexed even the Trimoorthi trinity. No one could understand this form and thus everyone surrendered to the Lord and begged Him to reveal Himself in a more understandable form. The ever merciful Arunachala acquiesced to their sincere request and manifested Himself as the Arunachala Hill, the world's largest Siva Lingam, a form which everyone of us can perceive and enjoy. In this form, He packed an infinity of divine darshans (visions) for our spiritual enjoyment and
upliftment. Thus the Karthigai Deepa Jothi festival is also an affirmation of our eternal gratitude to the Lord's kindness for manifesting Himself in a form that even mortals can perceive and enjoy.
Other articles in this issue of AUMzine discuss Arunachala and girivalam in greater depth. And more are forthcoming! Don't miss them!
Om Salutations to Arunachala
Om Salutations to vedam
Om Salutations to the Maha Guru
Om Salutations to the vediclinks
Om Salutations to the Siddhas
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