2016 New Arunachala Mahadeepam Cauldron

Every several years the Mahadeepam cauldron (used during the Karthigai Festival and which burns at the top of Arunachala  throughout the Festival) has to be replaced because of damage. Years previously the cauldron used to remain at the top of the Hill throughout the year. Nowadays it is carried up on poles prior to Mahadeepam and then brought down again at the end of the Festival.

Previous Mahadeepam cauldron on Arunachala

This year a new Mahadeepam cauldron (kopparai) is being created at metal works here in Tiruvannamalai. The new cauldron will measure 5 feet and have pure copper rings around the outside top of the cauldron measuring 3 feet diameter width, and on the outside bottom (of the cauldron) of 2.25 feet diameter width. The new cauldron (kopparai) is to cost Rs.1.5 laks to create.

Creating the new cauldron

Creating new 2016 Arunachala Mahadeepam cauldron

2016 Major Karthigai Deepam Functions

Below is the programme of the upcoming 2016 Karthigai Deepam at Arunachala which lists the most famous and what will be the best attended major functions over the Festival period. 

To view the complete programme of the upcoming 2016 Karthigai Festival (as celebrated at Tiruvannamalai) please go to my previous posting at this link here. 

Major Functions of 2016 Mahadeepam Festival

The below photographs are of a previous Arunachala Karthigai Festival and show the fervour and excitment of the crowds during various major Festival functions.

Raising of the flag will occur Saturday, December 3, 2016

Wish-Fulfilling Tree will occur on Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Kamadhenu (Wish-Fulfilling Cow) will occur on Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Silver Rishaba Vahanam will occur on Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Maharadham Function will occur on Friday, December 9, 2016

Mahadeepam Function inside Temple Compound will occur on Monday, December 12, 2016

Arunachala Mahadeepam will occur at approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2016

If you wish to learn more about the Arunachala Karthigai Festival visit my website Arunachala Samudra at the Karthigai section on the site's browser to view archives including narratives and photographs of previous Deepams.