Sri Ramana Maharishi 1998

Karthigai Deepam / Karthigai Brahmotsavam. at Tiruvannamalai

Sri  Ramana Maharishi Asram

Tiruvannamalai is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tiruvannamalai is named after the central deity of the Annamalaiyar Temple, Annamalaiyar. The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated during the day of the full moon between November and December, and a huge beacon is lit atop the Annamalai hill. The event is witnessed by three million pilgrims. On the day preceding each full moon, pilgrims circumnavigate the temple base and the Annamalai hills in a worship called Girivalam, a practice carried out by one million pilgrims yearly.

Located on the foothills of Annamalai hills, Tiruvannamalai has been ruled by the Pallavas, the Medieval Cholas, the Later Cholas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Carnatic kingdom, Tipu Sultan, and the British. It served as the capital city of the Hoysalas. 

Many festivals are celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai throughout the year. Among them Karthigai Deepam is the most significant festival that is celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

This Karthigai Deepam is celebrated as a Ten day festival and it widely known as Karthigai Brahmotsavam.

The First day - Karthika Deepam festival begins with the hosting of the flagsignifying the
commencement of the festival also known as Dwajaroghanam. In the morning and night Lord
Arunachaleswarar will be taken out on the silver vahana for procession.
The Panchamurthis (Panchamurthigal) are also taken out in the procession. The Panchamurthigal are
Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess
Parvathi.These processions are carried out on different vahanas after the Deeparadhana is done at
the kalyana mandapam.

The Second day - Karthigai Deepam festival commences with the Lord
Panchamurthigal coming on Indira Vimanam the chariot of Lord Indira.

The Third day - Karthigai Deepam festival the ceremony begins at night with the Lord Panchamurtigal coming in procession majestically on the Simha vahana, the chariot of lion.

On the Fourth day of Karthikai Deepam the Lord Panchamurthigal comes in the procession  that starts at night on the kamadhenu vahanam. The auspicious tree Karpaviruksha is
also on the side of the lord. This tree is believed to grant all the wishes that the devotees seek
withoutfail.

The Fifth day - Karthikai Deepam festival begins at night. This procession on the silver rishaba vahanam is very appealing and splendid to witness. Lord Panchamurthigal goes on
this vahana that is about 25 feet tall. A big umbrella with about 17 feet in diameter is carried along in the procession.

The Sixth day - Karthigai Deepam festival commences with a night procession of Lord  Panchamurthigal on the silver chariot that is beautifully crafted and simply imposing when it
comes around the temple.

The Seventh day of Karthikai Deepam festival Lord Panchamurthigal starts with the
procession on the Maha Ratham that is very huge and it almost occupies the full width of the road.
This ratham is made of pure wood that is strong and rugged.

The Eight day - Karthigai Deepam festival begins at night with the Lord
Panchamurthigal going out on procession on the huge horse vahana. The specialty of this horse is
that all the four legs of this horse are in the air and they do not touch the ground.

The Ninth day of Karthigai Deepam festival the devotees can witness Lord
Panchamurthigal going out procession on the Kailasa Vahanam. This ceremony is mostly  conducted on the Ninth Night.

On The Tenth day- Karthigai Deepam festival starts at around four o clock in the early hours and the Bharani Deepam is lit at the temple. In the evening the Mahadeepam is lit on the
top of the hill at around Six o’clock. This is a very important ceremony during the Karthigai Deepam festival at Tiruvannamalai.

Arunachaleswarar is said to be visually represented in the form of agni (Fire) on the hill top. There is a very mammoth gathering on this day at the Arunachaleswarar
temple to witness this glorious and sacred event. The night ceremony starts with Lord Periya
nayagar going out procession on the Rishaba vahanam that is made of gold. This is another
spectacular event at Arunachaleswar Temple at Tiruvannamalai. This festival  have  been  followed by Cholas

The  stamp  of 1998 despite  of Sri Ramana Maharishi and Tiruvannamalai hill in the background

Issue Date:14.04.1998
Denomination :200 Paisa