Arunachaleswarar Temple Lights: 2020 Karthigai Deepam Festival

 

 

Posting below a selection of photographs of the lights of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

 

 

 

2020 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Update

 

For information about the upcoming Karthigai Mahadeepam celebrations at Tiruvannamalai please read my earlier post links here and here.

Subsequent to these posts, here is additional information regarding the observance of the Festival. Entry to the Temple throughout the Festival (November 17-28, 2020) will only be allowed to ticketed devotees. If you wish to apply for a ticket please get in touch direct with Arunachaleswarar Temple at this link here.

No tickets will be available for November 29, the day of Karthigai Mahadeepam. Girivalam of the Hill is prohibited on November 29. Annadham will not be distributed on the day of the Festival.

Arunachaleswarar Temple is posting live streaming videos of functions at the Temple at their channel at this link here.

In addition live streaming functions at the Temple on the day of Karthigai Deepam, i.e. November 29 will also be available on their You Tube channel.

 

 

 

2020 Deepam Festivities at Arunachaleswarar Temple

 

 

After the relaxation of pandemic regulations, around 4,000 devotees have been daily visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple (however during their visit, devotees are not allowed to sit or stand anywhere inside the compound).

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple is currently working on a set of guidelines outlining celebrations inside Temple prakarams for the 2020 Karthigai Deepam. Such arrangements will include the procession of deities inside the Temple with a limited number of persons allowed inside to watch these functions.

 

The decision regarding the exact number of devotees allowed inside the Temple grounds during the Karthigai Deepam Festival is expected to be announced shortly.

 

Because of the ongoing Pandemic, Arunachala girivalam on the day of Karthigai (Sunday, November 29, 2020) is  banned. There will be no processions of the Gods around the Mada Vedhis (perimeter streets) on any of the Festival days.

 

Specifically regarding November 29, 2020 MahaDeepam inside the Temple (both in the early morning and evening) will be observed but open ONLY to special invitees, VIPs, Donors and those connected with the Temple. The lighting of MahaDeepam on top of Arunachala will occur but only participants and special invitees will be allowed to the summit of the Holy Hill.

 

Arunachaleswarar Temple has created a You Tube channel which broadcasts live streaming of certain functions inside the Temple Compound. One of these functions is Pradosham pujas performed at Periya Nandi inside the Temple Fifth Prakaram. 

 

Periya Nandi Puja, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple

  

In previous years, a number of TV channels have broadcasted Karthigai Deepam festivities. This year, Arunachaleswarar Temple will also be live streaming Karthigai Deepam festivities.

Their channel is at this link here.