Karthigai Deepam 3rd & 4th Dec 2025

[Jambunathan Iyer]

On 4th December 2025, let us celebrate Karthigai Deepam by lighting lamps, remembering the infinite flame of Shiva, the divine birth of Muruga, and the blessings of the Karthigai stars.

As elders have told us, there are three major legends behind this sacred festival. Sharing them today helps us pass the wisdom to the next generation.
May the light remove darkness from our lives and fill us with divine grace.

Karthigai Deepam Purana – The Three Legends

Legend 1 – The Infinite Flame of Shiva Karthigai Deepam – The flame that never fades Shiva rose as endless light—no beginning, no end. ஆரம்பமில்லா, முடிவில்லா ஜோதி என சிவன் தோன்றினார்.
When Brahma and Vishnu argued about who was supreme, Lord Shiva appeared as an endless column of fire. Brahma flew upward as a swan to find the top, and Vishnu dug downward as a boar to find the base. Neither succeeded. Shiva revealed Himself as the infinite Jyoti. To commemorate this, every year on Karthigai Deepam, the great flame is lit atop Arunachala hill, symbolizing the eternal light.

Legend 2 – The Birth of Lord Muruga Karthigai Deepam – Celebrating Muruga’s divine birth Six sparks became six children, united as Muruga. ஆறு சுடர்கள் ஆறு குழந்தைகளாய், பின்னர் ஆறுமுகனாய் ஆனார்.
To destroy the demon Suran, Shiva united with Shakti, and from their divine energy six sparks emerged from Shiva’s third eye. These sparks floated into the Saravana Poigai, where six maidens—the Karthigai women—nurtured them into six children. Shakti later merged them into one child with six faces: Lord Karthikeya (Muruga). Shiva blessed the Karthigai maidens, transforming them into the constellation of stars. Thus, Karthigai Deepam also marks Muruga’s divine birth.

Legend 3 – The Karthigai Maidens Karthigai Deepam – Stars of devotion, guardians of light The Karthigai stars nurtured Muruga with love. கார்த்திகைப் பெண்கள் முருகனை அன்புடன் வளர்த்தனர்.
Agni, the fire god, was enchanted by the beauty of the wives of the Sapta Rishis. His consort Swaha, fearing curses, assumed the forms of six of them (except Arundhati) and fulfilled his desire. These six forms became the Karthigai maidens, who later nurtured Lord Muruga. Hence, the stars of Karthigai are forever linked to Muruga’s upbringing.

Significance of the Festival
• Karthigai month is sacred to Shiva (the infinite flame), Vishnu (the protector), and Muruga (born of fire).
• Lighting lamps symbolizes removing darkness and inviting divine light into our lives.
• On this day, families light rows of lamps at home, offer puffed rice (Nel Pori) and palm-leaf kozhukattai as prasadam, and worship with devotion.
• Observing Karthigai vratham from this day until the next Karthigai brings Muruga’s blessings of health, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.

Festival Message to Share: On Karthigai Deepam, let us light lamps, honor the infinite flame of Shiva, celebrate Muruga’s divine birth, and receive the blessings of the Karthigai stars. May this sacred light guide us to peace, prosperity, and divine grace.

N Jambunathan , Chennai
" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "