Just Urs!!!: Karthikai Deepam Special

Karthikai Deepam - Festival of Lights

This festival is celebrated in South india - Tamil Nadu.

Celebrated by Hindus.
Lord shiva and Karthikeyan are the lords who are mainly worshipped during this festival.

The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil and bad vibration and bring in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthikai.

History of Karthikai Festival

There was a demon who had, by severe austerities, obtained the boon that he could be invincible and immortal so long as the three forts in which he had entrenched himself were not demolished at one stroke. Because of these three forts or cities he had come to be known as Tripurasura.

The forts were impregnable, one within the other. If only one or two of them were destroyed by his opponents, they would immediately spring up again as strong as ever and the demon would remain unconquerable for such was the boon. Only when all the three forts were demolished and razed to the ground at one stroke and at one time could the demon be vanquished and destroyed. All the forces of good-the gods-tried to rid the world of the atrocities and tyranny of the demon but could not succeed They could destroy one fort or at least two and that too one after the other and the forts would spring up again, none the worse in all the onslaughts of the gods. In despair the defeated gods approached Lord Shiva to come to their help and protect the world.The merciful Lord Shiva agree.

All the gods joined Him and made up His equipment. Armed with the organised strength of the gods, he took up his great bow and sallied forth against the demon. In the beginning, He too demolished one fort or two but found them springing up again and again without even so much as a scratch. Then remembering the boon the demon had been blessed with, Lord Shiva took out His terrible Arrow and shot it at the three forts and lo! The impregnable walls came crumbling down and became dust and could not come into being again and the fearful demon deprived of his invincible shelter was slain.

The whole creation heaved a sigh of relief and once again righteousness reigned in the world People could freely follow their religious duties and live in peace and prosperity. It was this auspicious Kartika Purnima-Full Moon Day-when this great victory of good over evil was achieved and so it is observed as a day of rejoicing and at night a big light is lighted in honour of the Lord's victory.

Following are presented before lord during the celebration