Lights and Colour of Nights 1 and 2: 2015 Karthigai Festival

The crowds throughout the Karthigai Deepam Festival are huge and energetic. Processions, music, street programmes, cultural programmes, illuminations all add to the fervour and excitement of these times. 

Below are photographs from the first two evenings of the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival. 

Musicians add to the energy and excitement of the processions

Illuminations and lights throughout Arunachaleswarar Temple

The Gods beautifully illuminated at an Arunachaleswarar Temple Theertham

In the below photograph the vahanam of Adhikara Nandi (of the first evening), is waiting at the Alankaram Mandapam outside the main east gate of the Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple, to be decorated and receive its Gods.

Adhikara Nandi Vahanam

The Vahanam decorated and ready for circumambulation of the Temple

The below photograph is of the Indira Vahanam of the 2nd Night of the Festival, awaiting to be decorated and receive its God.

Indira Vahanam at Alankaram Mandapam

While at Alankaram Mandapam priests prepare the Vahanam

Beautifully illuminated and decorated Vahanam

Indira Vahanam ready for Temple Circumambulation

Lord Arunachaleswarar on Indira Vahanam