BhaktiLoopKarthika Deepam Puja for Lord Kartikeya (Murugan)
Karthika Deepam (or Karthigai Deepam) is an ancient Hindu festival of lights, celebrated primarily in the Tamil month of Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December). While it has broader significance related to Lord Shiva's divine flame (Jyoti Swaroopam), it holds immense importance for devotees of Lord Murugan (Kartikeya), especially in Tamil Nadu. The festival involves lighting countless oil lamps (Deepams) in homes, temples, and streets. For Murugan devotees, it's a day to specially honor the deity of light, valor, and wisdom, seeking his grace to dispel darkness (both literal and metaphorical) from their lives.
Purpose
To invoke Lord Kartikeya's blessings for courage, wisdom, victory over obstacles, protection from enemies and negative energies, spiritual enlightenment, removal of ignorance, fulfillment of righteous desires, and general well-being. Karthika Deepam symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Key Rituals
- Cleanliness and Preparation**: Thorough cleaning of the house and puja area. Drawing Kolam (rangoli) at the entrance and altar.
- Setting up the Altar**: Placing the idol or picture of Lord Murugan. Adorning it with fresh flowers, particularly red flowers.
- Lighting Deepams**: The central ritual. Lighting numerous earthen lamps (Deepams) filled with oil/ghee and cotton wicks. These are placed inside and outside the home, and around the altar, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and inviting divine light.
- Abhishekam (Optional but recommended)**: If an idol is present, performing ritual bathing with sacred substances like water, milk, honey, yogurt, ghee, fruit juices, sandal paste, and rose water.
- Alankaram**: Decorating the deity with new clothes, ornaments, and garlands after Abhishekam.
- Archana**: Offering flowers (e.g., Oleander, Jasmine, Marigold) while chanting the 108 names (Ashtottarashatanamaavali) or 1000 names (Sahasranamavali) of Lord Murugan.
- Dhoopam & Deepam**: Lighting incense sticks and waving a lamp (oil lamp) in front of the deity.
- Naivedyam**: Offering freshly prepared food items, fruits, and sweets to the deity. These are later distributed as Prasad.
- Mantra Chanting**: Reciting relevant Murugan mantras, Stotrams, and devotional hymns like Skanda Shasti Kavacham.
- Deeparadhana (Aarti)**: Waving camphor flame in a circular motion in front of the deity, followed by distributing the flame to devotees for warmth and blessings.
- Pradakshina**: Circumambulating the altar or temple in a clockwise direction.
- Vratam (Fasting)**: Many devotees observe a partial or full fast on this day, breaking it after the puja and Deeparadhana.
- Community Celebrations**: Visiting Murugan temples where special pujas and Deepam lighting ceremonies are performed.
Common Offerings
- Lamps and Oil**: Earthen lamps (Agals), Ghee/Oil (Gingelly oil preferred), Cotton wicks.
- Flowers**: Red Oleander (Arali), Jasmine, Marigold, Lotus, Red Hibiscus.
- Fruits**: Bananas, Coconuts, Mangoes, Grapes, Pomegranates.
- Sweets**: Appam, Payasam (rice pudding), Modak, Laddoos, Sweet Pongal, Kesari.
- Savories**: Sundal (chickpea salad), Puliyodarai (tamarind rice), Vada.
- Others**: Betel leaves and nuts, Camphor, Incense sticks (Agarbatti), Sandalwood paste, Turmeric (Haldi), Kumkum (Vermillion), Akshat (rice grains mixed with turmeric), Milk, Honey, Curd (Yogurt), Panchamrit (mixture of 5 nectars).
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Saravana Bhava
Meaning
Salutations to the one born in the reeds (Saras). This is a foundational and potent mantra for Lord Murugan, representing his six faces/qualities and his swift action.
Benefits
Enhances courage, sharpens intellect, removes obstacles, bestows protection, and helps in attaining spiritual clarity and success.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Thatpurushaya Vidmahe Maha Senaya Dhimahi Tanno Skandah Prachodayat
Meaning
Om, Let us meditate on the Supreme Being, the Great Commander; May Skanda illuminate our intellect.
Benefits
This is the Skanda Gayatri Mantra, highly effective for invoking divine wisdom, leadership qualities, courage, and spiritual awakening. It helps in dispelling ignorance and negativity.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Skandaya Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Skanda (Lord Kartikeya).
Benefits
A simple yet powerful Bija (seed) mantra for immediate connection and seeking blessings from Lord Skanda for various purposes, including protection, strength, and inner peace.
Auspicious Days
- Karthika Deepam Day**: The full moon (Pournami) day in the Tamil month of Karthigai (approx. Nov-Dec), which is the main day of the festival.
- Throughout Karthigai Month**: The entire month of Karthigai is considered auspicious for worshipping Lord Murugan, especially Tuesdays and days when the Krittika (Pleiades) Nakshatra (star) is active, as Krittika is Murugan's birth star.
- Shasti Tithi**: The sixth day after the new moon (Amavasya) or full moon (Pournami) in any month, particularly in Karthigai, is dedicated to Murugan.
Regional Variations
While Karthika Deepam is celebrated throughout South India, its intensity and specific rituals vary. In **Tamil Nadu**, it's a grand festival with every home and temple lighting lamps. Thiruvannamalai's 'Maha Deepam' is a major highlight (though primarily Shiva-centric, it also evokes the divine light concept applicable to Murugan). In **Kerala**, it's known as 'Thrikkarthika' and primarily dedicated to Bhagavati (Goddess Lakshmi/Durga), but Murugan worship also occurs. In **Andhra Pradesh and Telangana**, 'Karthika Pournami' is celebrated, significant for both Shiva and Vishnu, with devotees lighting lamps and performing pujas. In **Karnataka**, similar to Tamil Nadu, homes are adorned with lamps.
Related Pujas
- Skanda Shasti**: A six-day festival celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman, observed with intense fasting and prayer.
- Thai Poosam**: Celebrated when the Pushya (Poosam) star is in ascendance in the Tamil month of Thai, commemorating Murugan receiving the Vel (spear) from his mother Parvati.
- Panguni Uthiram**: A significant festival marking the marriage of Murugan with Deivanai and Valli.
- Daily Murugan Pujas/Archanas**: Regular worship performed in Murugan temples or at home.