24th November 2008 Chennai, Pammal
Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Ganesh Temple, one of the progeny of the goddess Amman, to witness the 'Bharani Deepam' and 'Maha Deepam' as part of Karthigai Deepam festival.
The temple has 3 apportions with Ganesh as the main god and Lord Muruga and Goddess Amman. It is located in the intramural of the Muthamizh nagar.
The festival, which was celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November-December) began on Bharani and was extolled for 3 days.
The ‘Bharani Deepam’ festival was celebrated in a simple manner with few lamps in and around the temple. The second day festival ‘Maha Deepam’ was celebrated in a majestic manner with huge crowds, bhajans and songs on the the almighty. The third day was a simple festival called as the Kuppa Karthigai, this day was dedicated to the trash. Lamp is lit near the garbage etc.
Chanting of "Kandhanukku Arohara" inclined the air as the Bharani Deepam was lit inside the temple in the morning, while the Maha Deepam was lit at top of the temple on 24th Nov.
Next to the temple, Maha Deepam was lit in a big cone made of dry coconut leaves, this is filled with large quantities of camphor and ghee. The Deepam was seen from miles ahead. This practice is known as Chokka Panai.
The Karthigai day which was synchronized with the full moon day. The deity, Muruga was taken out in a procession encompassing the temple with five deepams. The Gopuram (Temple tower) was also lit with "Ahals"(earthern oil lamps) glowed with effulgence on the stratums.
Lighting festival was celebrated in all the temples of Chennai, including Vishnu temples. Elsewhere in the area, people celebrated Karthigai Deepam by illuminating their houses with Ahals.
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