Years previously the heavy Deepam cauldron used to remain at the top of Arunachala throughout the year. Nowadays cauldrons are made from lighter metals and carried up to the summit of Arunachala a couple of days previous to Mahadeepam and after conclusion of the Festival, the cauldron is brought down the Hill.
As the Cauldrons used during Deepam Festival are nowadays made from lighter materials they generally last around 10 years. The Cauldron also used in 2020 was first used in 2016 and replaced the Cauldron made in 2004.
The 2016 Cauldron (used in 2020) was created at Tiruvannamalai. It measures 5 feet in height and 3 feet in width at the top, the outside bottom of the cauldron measures 2.25 feet in diameter and cost Rs.1.5 lakhs to create.
Every year five earthen-pot lamps, representing the five elements, provide the flame for the single Bharani Deepam which fisherman carry to the top of the mountain for use as the source-light for the Krittikai Deepam. It is also they who are entrusted with carrying the Deepam Cauldron up to the top of the Hill prior to the day of Mahadeepam.
The Deepam cauldron is hauled up the slopes of Arunachala supported by poles inserted into the cauldron’s rings. The unique privilege for taking the flame (source-light) and cauldron up the Hill and also for the actual lighting of the Deepam Flame is always given (for as long as the Hill’s recorded history) to men of the fishing caste.
Male members of the Parvatha Raja clan light the cauldron on the summit of Arunachala. According to local belief, the Parvatha Raja clan are descendants of a king who had been blessed by Lord Shiva to light the cauldron in order to ward off a curse. The clan has three sub-divisions: Unnamulai Priyan, Pennattu Priyan and Vathathi Priyan. The menfolk from the three sub-classes take turns every year to light the cauldron.
It is said that 600kg of ghee, 100 metre of cloth and over 4 kg of camphor is used each day of Karthigai Deepam.
Once the Deepam Festival is over, the Cauldron is carried down the hill to Arunachaleswarar Temple, where puja is performed and the Cauldron is stored in the Temple compound in its damaged condition. And it will not be repaired or repainted until just before the commencement of the next year's Karthigai Mahadeepam Festival.
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| Cauldron created in 2016 which is currently still in use |
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| Before the beginning of Deepam, the Cauldron from the previous year is repaired |
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| Cauldron being repaired |
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| After repair, the Cauldron is repainted |
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| The 2020 Cauldron being brought down Arunachala at the end of Deepam |
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| 2020 Cauldron coming down Hill |
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| Puja performed on 2020 Cauldron before it is stored at Temple until next Deepam |
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| The Cauldron won't be repaired and painted until a short time before the 2021 Deepam Festival (i.e. Friday, November 19, 2021) |
