Karthikai Deepam Celebrations 1st December , 2009 at Nithyananda Vedic Temple , Redmond

On the full moon day of the month of Karthikai (November-December) which falls on the ascension of the Karthikai star, Karthikai Deepam is celebrated in the Vedic Tradition. It is on this day, when the Sun sets and the Moon raises, the huge beacon is lit on the holy hill Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, located in South India. It is also the day Goddess Devi attained the state of Enlightenment and became part of Shiva.

To symbolically represent this, soon after the huge beacon is lit in Tiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva in the form of Ardanareshwara (Shiva & Devi together, where Devi becomes part of Shiva) goes out in a procession in Tiruvannamalai.

Karthikai Deepam was celebrated at the Vedic Temple with Abishekam of Anandedshwara, grand alankar, the lighting of lamps, and Maha Arati.

Following are some of the pictures taken during Karthikai Deepam celebrations in the vedic temple.