The cauldron on top of Arunachala for the 2021 Karthigai Festival was alight for 11 days. At some times during the History of this Festival, the pot used to remain undisturbed on the Hill until its condition made it necessary for it to be brought back down the Hill for repair or replacement.
Nowadays the pot is taken up the Hill a couple of days before Mahadeepam and remains there for a day at the end of the Festival in order for it to cool. Thereupon the pot is returned to the Temple for storage. The Cauldron is more lightweight than at previous times (to make it easier to carry up and down the Hill), however its lack of robustness ensures that it has to be replaced more frequently.
 |
| 2021 Cauldron carried down Hill after completion of Mahadeepam |
After the Cauldron is carried down from the Hill puja is performed for it, by way of a consecration ceremony at the Thousand Pillar Hall (Fifth Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple).
 |
| Consecration of the Mahadeepam Cauldron at Arunachaleswarar Temple |
However the ultimate purification ceremony occurs on the summit of Arunachala. In this regard in earlier times four purification ceremonies (prayascittas) were observed at the top of Arunachala, for which priests used to go to the summit of the Hill. Nowadays the only prayascitta ceremony regularly observed on the summit of Arunachala is after completion of the Karthigai Festival.
Tiruvannamalai is one of the major sacred places of Tamil Nadu not only because of its great mountain Arunachala, but also because of its huge Arunachaleswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Siva and also to the many and frequent festivals which occur at this place.
The mythology of the Lingodbhavamurti, the column of light (which is unvarying in all its parts whether it be the top or bottom) commemorates that there is no actual difference in the vibrational power of any part of Arunachala. However even though Arunachaleswarar Temple is fully identified with Arunachala, for which it is also a substitute—certain variations between the bottom and top of the Hill were previously recognised four times a year by observance of purification ceremonies (prayascittas) for which priests used to go to the summit of the mountain.
Those four times were: Mahashivaratri Festival acknowledging the supremacy of Lord Siva, the Marriage Ceremony celebrating the union of Lord Siva with the Goddess, Karthigai Festival with its multitude of legends and symbolism, and the fourth and last purification ceremony represents separation from the Goddess and the renewed manifestation of the supremacy of Siva the great Yogi.
However over the years the difficulties of the climb for aging Gurukals and other factors has led to less emphasis being paid to these purification ceremonies occurring on the Hill itself and nowadays the only prayascitta regularly observed on the summit of Arunachala is after completion of the Karthigai Festival.
 |
| After completion of prayascitta ceremony on Arunachala Summit |
