One of the most popular processions of the Arunachala Karthigai Festival is that of the seventh day and of the processions of the gigantic Maharadham and accompanying huge wooden chariots around the mada veedhis (perimeter streets) of Tiruvannamalai. In 2020 devotees were sad that health related restrictions of the Deepam Festival included a ban on all darshan and processions outside the Temple. Sadly it was decided to continue this restriction in 2021.
Below are photographs of small chariots used on the seventh day of the 2021 Karthigai Deepam Festival inside Temple prakarams which were substitutes for the huge, magnificent chariots, devotees are more accustomed to.
Prior to the restrictions of the Karthigai Deepam Festival at Tiruvannamalai of 2020 and 2021, you can view full photographic archives of an earlier Festival here.
Generally (except for the restrictions of the last two years) the Deepam Festival follows the same daily programme. One hopes that next year 2022; Arunachaleswarar Temple will return to the regular Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Festival.
To look through an explanation of the calendar and significance of the various functions and rituals of each day of a more traditional year, visit my website at this link here.
