One of the most revered Hindu holidays in Southern India is Karthigai Deepam. During this festival, people light lamps and place them throughout their homes to ward off evil and usher in peace and prosperity. Women pray for their families’ well-being, particularly for the happiness of their children.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva entered a deep trance in order to isolate himself after learning of the passing of his wife Parvati. After that, Parvati took the form of Sati and gave birth to six children, who were raised by the six Krittika stars. On the day of Deepam, Sati used tremendous strength and might to combine all six newborns into one god.
Another mythology holds that Lord Muruga revealed to his father, Lord Shiva, the true meaning of the ultimate term, “OM,” as he got older. Lord Muruga served as a mentor and enlightened Lord Shiva with the actual meaning of the sacred “OM” as a result. On the day of Deepam, lamps are also lit as a way to commemorate the victory of Goddess Parvati over the demonic Mahishasura. Thus, this event represents the moral and material triumph of good over evil.
The lamp’s lighting has a very important spiritual significance. The oil in the lamp represents our innate nature, which cultivates the ego, and the flame represents spiritual wisdom, which can stoke the ego (wick) by igniting our predisposed behavior. Thus, the lamps’ lighting just symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. People light lamps in their homes on the day of Deepam to welcome prosperity and good fortune into their lives and to fight off evil spirits and negative energy.
In order to banish negativity and bring prosperity and abundance into their families, people celebrate KarthigaiDeepam by lighting clay lamps throughout their homes.On Deepam, devotees adore the Supreme God in the lingam form of Lord Shiva as the lamp, asking him to grant all of their sincere requests. Even in this day and age, people respect the traditions and practices of Indian holidays and participate in the celebrations to spend time with their families and spread joy.
