Karthigai , is the festival of lights ,in South India.
This ritual centres around Lord Subramania.
Thiruvannamlai, the abode of God Arunachaleswar, is the cynosure of all eyes , during the Karthigai rejoicement.A gigantic depam is lit , and the Lord is taken in a procession,around the hills.
It is called as Thiruvannamali deepam.
Millions gather to watch this colourful ceremony.
The air reverberates with the frenzied cry of the devotees, as they hail Arunachaleswara.
.Almost in all temples throughout South India , akal deepams are lit,and chokappaan is burnt, pointing to fire, which constitutes one of the five elements of life
.Ladies offer prayers at home, and decorate their houses with eye catching kolams and deeyas
The entire house is spruced up.right from the basement to the attic .
Old , unusable and unwanted things are brougt down and disposed by setting them ablaze.
This practice, is an obeisance to fire, which constitutes one of the five elements of life.
This large scale illumination denotes that the external light reflects the inner self It is a metaphorical allusion to Wisdom which radiates the mind,and compassion which extolls the soul .
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