Karthigai Deepam Festival is one of the oldest and most traditional festivals observed across South India. This festival of lights is also known by the name Karthikai Vilakkidu or Thrikarthika.
The festival falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November-December) when the Moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and Pournami.
History behind the Kathigai Deepam Festival
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma once argued amongst themselves about who was supreme, ignoring their duties. On seeing this, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of fire and told them that whoever it is that finds the top or bottom of the fire is the greatest. While Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varaha) and delved into the earth to find the bottom of flame, Lord Brahma took the form of a swan (Annam) and flew up towards the skies. Both their efforts were in vain and when finally they gave up their ego, Lord Shiva appeared before them. The day on which Lord Shiva appeared as a pillar of fire is celebrated as Thirukarthigai/Karthigai Deepam.
Thrikarthika Celebrations
Karthigai Maha Deepam celebration is marked by rows of clay oil lamps (Agal Vilakku) lit in every house and across streets. The lightning of lamp is considered auspicious and is believed to greet joy and prosperity and avert all that is evil. Bursting of crackers also form a part of the celebration, which is now being restricted widely as a positive step towards environment protection.
More insights about the Thrikarthika Festival
- It is interesting to know that the constellation that marks the day of Karthigai Deepam is a cluster of six stars appearing in a pendant shape.
· Legend has it that the six stars represent the six celestial nymphs who gave birth to six babies. These babies were united together by Goddess Parvathi to form Lord Murugan, who was an incarnation of his father, Lord Shiva himself. - Karthigai Deepam is a festival religiously celebrated for 3 days – the first day called Appa Karthigai, second called Vadai Karthigai and third and last day is Thiru Karthigai. Earthen lamps are lit once the sun sets signifying the victory of good over evil.
- Karthigai Deepam is celebrated in Lord Shiva Temple in Thiruvannamalai in a grand manner. A huge fire lamp (Mahadeepam) is lit up on the hill which is visible for several kilometres around the area.
Epilogue
The festival is a dazzling portrayal of Indian tradition and culture on the one hand, and celebration of sharing happiness and positivity on the other hand. Karthigai Deepam is equivalent to Diwali with all its beauty, bliss and warmth.
Other Popular Festivals in Tamilnadu
Famous Foods in Chennai, Cuisines in Chennai
Chennai is really famous for its eateries. A wide variety of food options are available here. The non-veg cuisine takes various forms and later the recipe spreads all over.
- First and foremost is the aromatic Filter coffee that wakes you up in the morning.
- Idly, known as the Indian Pancake is the South Indian specialty that one must try for breakfast. Eat idlis, feel light and safe too.
- Masala Dosa is a delicacy to die for. Mouth watering crispy and crunchy dosas. Never miss trying it.
- Vadai and Thayir Vadai. This is a specialty too. Curd vada, with boondi is awesome to taste.
- Sambar rice and Rasam rice is for rice lovers. Both the rice with papad tastes heavenly.
- Meals during the lunchtime. A must try with rice, rasam, sambar, veggies, sweet etc. It fills your mouth and tummy too.
- Molaga Bajji (chilli Bajji), is a perfect snack for the evening. You can get it even at the beach stalls as well.
- Adai Aviyal is delicious stuff to eat anytime. A dish that is made out of a combination of both rice and pulses.
- Ven Pongal is an aromatic breakfast that is so very inviting. The smell of the ghee can never let you say no.
- Fish curry is a for fish lovers. It is a mouth watering delicacy that goes well with rice and chapathi as well.
- Chicken or Onion pakodas make perfect starters.
- Kothu parottas can increase your craving anytime. Mixed with veggies, chicken, egg etc, is so tasty and perfect.
Famous Foods in Madurai, Cuisines in Madurai
Madurai is really famous for its eateries mainly Non-veg as most of the Maduraites are Non-vegetarians. The non-veg cuisine takes various forms mainly at Madurai and later the recipe spreads all over.
The special foods can be listed as follows:
Madurai Jigarthanda
Madurai Jigarthanda is a coolant that one should never miss drinking at Madurai. It is believed that the Muslim rulers were the ones who introduced this drink during their reign. But, now, Madurai has become popular for the same. It is a drink that has various mixes of Nannari syrup, Vanilla essence, ice cream that is handmade, thick condensed milk etc. The drink is heavy and is filling too. Maybe, after tasting this drink, you can never stop at one.
- The first thing Madurai is famous for its soft idlies and its taste that is to die for. Rice mixed with urud lentils in a certain proportion yields soft idlies. Chutney and sambar goes well with these idlies.
- Dosa roast is something that anyone will love to have. Same idly batter is used to make these roasts. Rava masala roast is another type of dosa that is prepared by mixing rava, rice, and urud proportionately.
- The lunch Thali offered with a variety of dishes is totally filling and tasty too. Two curries, papad, aviyal, rasam, sambhar, curd rice, sweet, pickle etc are served in the thali. The spread is big and maybe you need two tummies to eat all of them.
- Non-vegetarian dishes like Mutton Biriyani, Chicken biriyani, Mutton Kola Urundai, egg curry, prawn fries, Mutton chukka, Mutton brain fry, Mutton leg soup, etc are totally in demand among the Non-Veg lovers. These are truly mouth watering and you must really be hungry to relish each one of them at the hotels.
- Kalkandu Saddam and Kalkandu pal are two other famous recipes based out of Madurai. Kalkandu means sugar crystals those are bigger than the normal sugar that we use on a daily basis. These crystals are used to prepare a dessert called Kalkandu Saddam (Kalkandu rice). Cold milk is mixed with Kalkandu and served which is heavenly to drink.
- Then last but not least parathas, made out of Maida are popular. Kothu parotta, veechu parotta are the varieties that you can get at any eateries, especially roadside ones.
Famous Foods in Salem, Cuisines in Salem
Thattu Vadai Set and Mangoes are popular eateries of Salem. A wide variety of food options are available here.
Salem Thattu Vadai Set
The first dish that comes to one’s mind is the Thattu vadai set when you are at Salem. It is a very famous street snack available at almost every small stall set up on the streets of Salem. A vadai or thattai is served like a sandwich by placing grated carrot, beetroot, onion, lemon etc with a spicy chutney as an accompaniment. Two vadai sandwiched gives a heavenly taste to die for. Can never be stopped at just one. Have this mouth-watering snack, is a combo of both crunchy and soft taste, that you will for sure write a blog on it.
Salem Mango
The other thing Salem is famous for is for the “Kings of fruits” and you must know what they are right? Well, they are nothing but Mangoes. Salem has known as-as the “Mango city”. There are about 100 varieties of mangoes on the whole. In the months of May and June, the Salem markets are usually flooded with varieties of mangoes like Salem Bengaluru, Alphonso, senthura, Bengaluru, emampasand etc. Every year tons and tons of mangoes are exported from Salem to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and West Asian countries. If you visit Salem during the season of Mangoes, do try them and your taste buds can never forget them.
Apart from the above, you get all dishes those are available all over Tamil Nadu like kotthu parottas, parottas, idlis, vadas, Pongal etc are at Salem.