HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS : 7-1.

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7. Kartigai Deepam - 1.

ON THE full moon day of the month of Kartigai (November-December) which falls on the ascension of the Kritigai star, the Hindus celebrate the Kartigai Deepam.

It is on this day that the huge beacon is lit on the holy hill Arunachala, in South India.


Once Lord Shiva assumed the form of a hill at Tiruvannamalai in South India.

Here He quelled the pride of Brahma and Vishnu who were quarelling as to their relative greatness.

One day, when Lord Shiva was in meditation, Parvati left Him and went to the hill of Arunachala.

There She performed penance.

She was the guest of the sage Gautama.

It was during Her penance here that Mahishasura was killed by Durga hidden by Parvati.

Parvati saw Shiva as Arunachalesvara.

She was taken back by the Lord to His side, and made His Ardhangini once more, that is, She occupied half of the body of the Lord.


Arunachalesvara is Tejo Lingam. Arunachala or the Tiruvannamalai Hill is the place that represents the fire element.

(The five elements are represented by five holy places in India.)

Swami Sivananda
 To be continued  ...





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