Karthigai Deepam 2025: Celebrating the Oldest Festival of Lights in Tamil Culture

Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest and most sacred festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is often called the Festival of Lights of the Tamil people, and its roots go back thousands of years. In 2025, this divine festival will be celebrated on Thursday, 4 December 2025. Across homes, temples, and entire cities, lamps will glow to honor Lord Shiva, Lord Murugan, and the cosmic light that represents purity and protection.

What makes Karthigai Deepam truly special is that it beautifully blends spirituality, family traditions, and cultural arts. Among these, the timeless charm of Tanjore paintings holds a very important place. These traditional paintings capture the gods worshipped during Karthigai Deepam with glowing halos and rich colors, making them a perfect part of the festive atmosphere.

Let’s explore the story, rituals, timings, and artistic connection of Karthigai Deepam in a detailed, human, and meaningful way.

The Story Behind Karthigai Deepam

There are two major legends behind this festival, and both are deeply connected to Tamil culture.

The first and most famous story tells us about a cosmic argument between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Each one believed he was the greatest. To end this dispute, Lord Shiva appeared as a huge, infinite column of fire, stretching beyond the sky and deep below the earth. Neither Vishnu nor Brahma could find the beginning or the end of this divine flame. This showed that God’s true form is boundless. To honour this light, people began lighting lamps on this holy day, symbolizing Shiva's eternal flame.

Another legend links Karthigai Deepam to the birth of Lord Murugan. According to ancient texts, Murugan was formed from six sparks that emanated from Lord Shiva’s third eye. These sparks were carried by the six Krittika maidens, who nurtured the divine child. Murugan then appeared as a radiant god with six faces, known as Aarumugam. The festival celebrates this sacred connection with the Krittika star and the divine child who brings courage, wisdom, and protection.

Because of these stories, Karthigai Deepam is considered one of the most powerful days to worship both Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.

Date and Auspicious Timings for 2025

Karthigai Deepam will be celebrated on Thursday, 4 December 2025.

The Krittika (Karthigai) Nakshatra begins on the evening of 3 December and ends on the afternoon of 4 December. Most households light the lamps shortly after sunset, typically between 5.30 PM and 6.30 PM, which is considered an auspicious period to invite divine blessings into the home.

Temples also follow their own schedules, and the lighting of the grand Maha Deepam on hills like Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai usually happens in the early evening, just after sunset.

How Families Celebrate Karthigai Deepam

The beauty of this festival lies in its simplicity. There are no grand ceremonies required. The core of the celebration is the lighting of lamps that bring warmth, peace, and positivity into the home.

On the morning of the festival, people clean their houses thoroughly and wash their doorways. Fresh kolams are drawn at the entrance using rice flour. These kolams are not only decorative but also symbols of welcoming prosperity and positive energy.

As evening approaches, homes begin to glow as clay lamps filled with sesame oil or ghee are lit one by one. Lamps are placed on windowsills, balconies, doorsteps, and around the pooja room. Some families light lamps in rows, creating a sparkling path of light around their home. The atmosphere becomes calm and divine, filled with the fragrance of oil lamps and incense.

Many households also prepare a special sweet called Maavilakku, made from rice flour, jaggery, and cardamom. A small lamp is placed inside this sweet mixture and lit as an offering to the gods.

Sisters pray for the wellbeing of their brothers, and families gather together to chant prayers, listen to devotional songs, and share festive meals. The entire night feels like a spiritual retreat at home, filled with light and love.

The Divine Connection with Tanjore Paintings

Karthigai Deepam is a festival centred around light, devotion, and the divine presence of gods like Shiva, Parvati, and Murugan. This makes it the perfect moment to appreciate and connect with the traditional beauty of Tanjore paintings.

Tanjore paintings are known for their rich gold foil, vibrant colours, and detailed depictions of deities. During Karthigai Deepam, when lamps are lit, the golden glow of a Tanjore painting shines even more brightly. The lamps' warm light reflects off the gold work, making the gods appear almost lifelike and radiant.

A Tanjore painting of Lord Shiva with a glowing aura or a painting of Lord Murugan with six faces becomes even more divine when placed near the lit lamps. Families often decorate their pooja rooms with these paintings during the festival, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere.

These paintings are not just art pieces. They are symbols of heritage, devotion, and cultural pride. Including them in your Karthigai Deepam celebration is a beautiful way to honour both tradition and spirituality.

Karthigai Deepam in Temples

While homes light small lamps, temples light thousands of lamps, creating an unforgettable sight. The most famous celebration happens in Tiruvannamalai, where devotees gather in huge numbers to witness the lighting of the Maha Deepam at the top of Arunachala Hill.

The lamp is enormous and burns brightly throughout the night, symbolising the cosmic flame of Shiva. Those who witness this moment feel a deep spiritual connection, as if the ancient story is happening right before their eyes. In many temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, special poojas, abhishekams, and processions take place throughout the day.

The festival brings joy not only to devotees visiting temples but also to those watching the celebrations live from their homes.

Why This Festival Still Matters Today

In modern life, people often rush from one task to another. Festivals like Karthigai Deepam remind us to slow down, reconnect with our roots, and bring light into our hearts and homes.

Lighting a lamp may seem simple, but it carries deep meaning. It represents removing negativity and inviting positivity. It brings family members together in a single activity that everyone can participate in. It fills the home with warmth, peace, and a sense of belonging.

For children, this festival is also a wonderful opportunity to learn stories from our culture, understand traditions, and appreciate the beauty of Hindu art forms like Tanjore paintings.

A Beautiful Way to Celebrate

If you want to make your celebration special this year, you can place a Tanjore painting of Shiva, Parvati, or Murugan in your pooja room and light a few lamps around it. The combination of traditional art and divine light creates a powerful spiritual mood, perfect for the occasion.

You can also involve children by letting them arrange the lamps (with supervision), draw simple kolams, or listen to the story of the divine light. These small activities make the festival memorable and meaningful.

Conclusion

Karthigai Deepam 2025, celebrated on 4 December, is more than just a festival. It is a reminder of divine light, timeless stories, and the cultural richness of Tamil Nadu. As the lamps flicker in your home and temples glow across the state, you become part of a tradition that has continued for centuries.

Pairing this festival with the beauty of Tanjore paintings adds another layer of devotion and heritage to your celebration. This year, may the festival fill your home with light, your heart with peace, and your life with blessings.