2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival: Durgaiamman Urchavam—Monday November 20, 2017

This year the three days prior to the beginning of the Deepam Festival started on Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai. The reason for the unique connection of the Goddess at Durga Amman Temple with the Karthigai Festival is believed to be because of the Goddess and her fight with the demon Mahisha. 

Go to this link to read ‘The Fight with Mahisasura’.

In the Mahishasura legend, before fighting with the demon, the Goddess appointed four noble Bhairavis (celestial damsels) to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri.

Commanding, that:

"Admit only those who have come to worship Arunachala and are tired, hungry and thirsty. Others should not enter. She then appointed strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala and continued Her penance at Her ashram."

[The Glory of Arunachala]

In accordance with the mythology of Arunachala, Durga is recognised as Guardian of Arunachala and thus a precursor of the Deepam Festival is always a celebration of this aspect of the Goddess.

Durgaiamman Alangaram

Aarti to Goddess at Durga Amman Temple

Goddess being carried out of the Temple

Goddess on her Kamadhenu Vahana on procession through Tiruvannamalai

Musicians leading the procession of the Goddess through Tiruvannamalai