Karthigai Deepam: Diyas & Puja Lamps

Karthigai Deepam significance

The festival is tied to light, and several stories gather around it. Many Shaiva devotees remember Lord Shiva appearing as an endless column of fire. At Tiruvannamalai, a great lamp is lit on the Annamalai hill each year in this memory.

The day is also linked with Lord Murugan, whose birth is associated with the six Krittika sisters who nursed him. Families keep the lamp lit as a simple act of devotion and gratitude.

Karthigai Deepam rituals and puja at home

Rituals differ by family and region, so follow your own custom. In many homes the house is cleaned first, and kolam designs are drawn at the entrance. Rows of oil lamps are then lit at dusk.

Some families place lamps at the doorstep, on window ledges and near the tulsi plant. Others light a larger lamp in the puja room. They chant a mantra of their family deity, such as Om Namah Shivaya or Om Saravana Bhava. There is no single Karthigai Deepam mantra for everyone.

How to choose a diya for Karthigai Deepam

Choose a lamp for the place where it will stand. Compare the dimensions, the oil capacity where the page states it, and how easily you can clean it. If you want a deepam set, check that the product page lists every piece in it.

For a deepam brass lamp, check the stated material and size on the product page. Each finish has its own care needs, so follow the note given there. Many families keep a Shiva or Murugan image beside the lamp, and you can look through Sacred God Idols for one.

Lighting lamps safely at home

• Place every lit lamp on a stable, heat-safe surface.
• Keep flames away from curtains, cloth, paper and walkways.
• Keep lit lamps attended and out of reach of children.
• Follow the product's oil, wick and cleaning instructions.

A glass cover does not make a flame safe to leave unattended. Keep a small bowl of water or a damp cloth within reach, and do not leave lamps burning in an empty room. Let lamps cool fully before you clean them.