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A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Celebrate Lord Shiva at Deepam

Last updated: January 27th, 2019

Various cultures from around the world celebrate a festival of lights in their own way. For Hindus this festival, known as Diwali or Deepavali, is one of the biggest of the year—a day that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the financial year. Fittingly, most Hindus worship Lakshmi, the goddess representing wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

Oil lamps known as diya or deepam are considered auspicious symbols and so are lit to ward off evil forces and invite Lakshmi to bring prosperity and joy into the home. In addition to lighting the lamps, other customs are carried out during this five-day festival, such as the exchanging of gifts, the lighting of firecrackers and sisters honouring their brothers for good fortune.

Given the myriad different cultural and spiritual traditions throughout India, it’s no surprise that a festival as ancient as this has taken on different forms. Hindus from Tamil Nadu in south India revere this holy day in their own way, calling it Deepam. Though many of the traditions are the same, the focus for them is on Lord Shiva rather than Lakshmi.

The Shiva energy is particularly strong in Tiruvannamalai, a temple town known for its impressive Shiva temple, many ashrams and holy men lining the streets. Pilgrims by the millions travel to Tiru from all over the state and beyond to walk around sacred Mount Arunachala, which the town was built beside. This auspicious mountain pokes out of the Earth to a height of 813m with nothing but plains around it. And on this day that height is used as a great beacon as a massive lamp is lit on top of it, lighting up the entire peak, a calling to all within sight to come and worship.

Fire is a particularly potent symbol in regards to Shiva because it’s as an endless flame that Shiva appeared in front of Vishnu and Brahma, the three making up the Trimurti, or “Hindu triad,” which makes south India’s festival of lights that much more symbolic.

Deepam is celebrated annually in November or December. Keep an eye on Om Arunachala for current festival dates.


image: Kurt Sondermann (Creative Commons BY-SA) 

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