Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotion and celebration on Wednesday as the iconic ‘Mahadeepam’ was prepared to be lit atop the Annamalai hill, marking the pinnacle of the 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival at the historic Arunachaleswarar Temple.

The festivities began at 4 a.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the Bharani Deepam inside the main sanctum’s Arthamandapam. Shivacharyas performed special rituals and a yajna before lighting the sacred flame, which was then ceremonially carried through the Vaikunta Vasal and taken towards the hill.

Five lamps representing the five elements were lit using the Bharani Deepam and subsequently taken to various shrines within the temple complex.

The flame was then brought to the Unnamulai Amman shrine, where thousands

See Full Page