THE STORIES OF LORD KARTHIKEYA XII

Karthika Deepam Lord Murugas Birthday & Appearance of Lingothbhavar

The festival of Karthikai Deepam is dear to father and son Lord Shiva and Lord Kumara.
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Thirukarthigai (December 5-6 2014) or the full moon of the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec) is believed to
be the birthday of Lord Karthikeya. To read the birth story see THE STORIES OF LORD KATHIKEYA- Birth of Lord
Karthikeya. Kartikeya is also worshipped in West Bengal, and Bangladesh on the last day of the Hindu month of
'Kartik'. However, the popularity of Kartik Puja (worshipping Kartik) is decreasing now in the Northern
Subcontinent. Lord Kartik the epitome of the divine son is primarily worshipped during his birthday among
those who intend to have a son.
The day is also celebrated as Karthikai Deepam Heavenly Lamp - especially in Thiruvananmalai where a huge
lamp is lit atop the Anamalai hill. Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared as the endless flame Lingothbhavar
and tested Lords Vishnu and Brahma who were to find the beginning and end of the light but failed. Lord
Vishnu as the boar (Koorma Avatar) dug the earth through but couldnt find the bottom of the endless flame
that was Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma atop his swan was equally unsuccessful finding the top but lied and got
cursed.

Lord Arunachaleshwara the Lord Shivas form in Thiruvanamalai where the festival of Karthikai Deepam
attracts some 20 Lakh (2 million) devotees annually is an Agni Lingam dedicates to the element fire. The
heavenly lamp that appears on the summit of the Thiruvannamalai hill annually represents the infinite form
taken by Lord Shiva as an endless eternal flame (Angi Lingam) at the sacred forested hill of Thiruvannamalai
(Jyotirlingam Stalam) to tame ego of Brahma and Vishnu. The festival occurs in the midst of the regions NorthEast Monsoon showers. Rainfall/cloud bursts during the appearance of the divine lamp (Divya Jyothi) is
considered very auspicious as it is believed that all the gods of the Hindu pantheon are appearing at the hill to
pay their respects to this avatar of Lord Shiva.
December 5, 2014, Friday (karthiga deepam/Thirukarthikai 2014)