Kaarthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in the Tamil calendar month of Kaarthigai (November - December). It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Kaarthigai month which coincides with Krithikai star. It is also considered as the addition of the Diwali festival. People clean the houses. In the evening, they draw kolams (rangoli) in the front of the house and also place some lamps on it. In some houses, they double the number of lamps every day from the day of Diwali and this way, they end up with a number of lamps on the day of Kaarthigai Deepam. Ardhanareeswarar is taken out to this place with the five deepams, which are put in a big container near the flug-stuff. At the same time the beacon light on the hill is lit. The huge courtyard of devotees from all parts of our country in a million voice raise a cry simultaneously "Harohara to Annamalai" which will rip the air. It is a sight for the Gods to see!

ROWS OF agal vilakkus in front of every house... this is the image that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam. Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai". On this day, all his six forms were united by Parvathi(his mother) and this way, he had six faces. Special poojas are performed to Lord Muruga. Lord Shiva asks Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Since Lord Shiva takes a gigantic form, they are not able to find out anywhere. The Lord Shiva takes the form of a jyothi (light of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Therefore, this festival is also known as Annamalai Deepam on this day a special torch is lighted on the zenith of the hill. People have a faith that Lord Shiva's jothi will be visible on this day. There is an attractive story explanation the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to clash as to who was the more powerful of them.At the time of they fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarrelling and decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar. Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated as Karthikai Maha Deepam or Karthikai Brahmotsavam. Karthigai Deepam is observed as Vishnu Deepam in Vishnu temples throughout Tamil Nadu and Kerala.