For those who have been in touch asking about the date of Deepam 2009, I present below Deepam dates for the next four years. The date quoted is that that of Bharani Deepam - the day on which the flame is actually lit on top of Arunachala.
Right-click on photo to enlargeDeepam 2009 ----- December 1st, 2009
Deepam 2010 ----- November 21st, 2010
Deepam 2011 ----- December 8th, 2011
Deepam 2012 ----- November 27th, 2012
Deepam 2010 ----- November 21st, 2010
Deepam 2011 ----- December 8th, 2011
Deepam 2012 ----- November 27th, 2012
Namaste', I think Karthigai Deepam 2011 is 8th of December.
ReplyDeleteAs I can see also in Sri Ramana ashram calendar.
http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/calendar/ashramcalendar.html
Thanks for your comment and correction. I have amended the relevant posting.
ReplyDeleteHowever the posting was not as much as a mistake as you imagine. This year there are technically two dates on which Karthigai Deepam can be celebrated.
Previously many pundits referred to the November date as the correct one -- that date was so universally accepted, that in books, sanctioned and sold by the Big Temple, the November date appeared in the calendar as the right Deepam 2011 date.
Early this year I went to the Temple office 3 times to find out the correct Deepam date, and even then, there was dispute and uncertainty amongst officials, whether or not Deepam would be celebrated in November or December.
One amusing nugget. Ramana Ashram has also had similar problems in getting the dates right. And once for a previous Deepam gave out the wrong date through their publications and accommodation office.
The mistake wasn't caught till very late, and subsequently the Ashram had to write many, hasty letters to devotees planning to join them for Deepam.
So, in matters like this its essential to get as many opinions as possible.