Karthigai Deepam 2026: Date, Maha Deepam, Lingodbhava & Mantra
Karthigai Deepam 2026 (~early December): the Tamil festival of lights — Maha Deepam at Tiruvannamalai, the Lingodbhava story, how to light agal vilakku, mantra & diaspora guide.
Karthigai Deepam 2026 (~early December): the Tamil festival of lights — Maha Deepam at Tiruvannamalai, the Lingodbhava story, how to light agal vilakku, mantra & diaspora guide.
Karthigai Deepam is the great Tamil festival of lights, crowning Karthika Masam 2026. On the full-moon day of the Tamil month Karthigai, under the Krittika nakshatra — around early December 2026 — millions light lamps, and the Maha Deepam blazes atop Arunachala hill at Tiruvannamalai.
Karthigai Deepam 2026 Date
- Date: ~early December 2026 (Karthigai full moon with Krittika nakshatra) — confirm with the Tamil panchangam
- Where it peaks: Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai (the Maha Deepam)
Significance — The Infinite Light
Karthigai Deepam celebrates Lingodbhava: Lord Shiva appearing as a boundless column of fire whose summit and base even Brahma and Vishnu could not reach — the formless, infinite Absolute. The lamps lit on this day honour that supreme light. The festival also carries the Krittika–Muruga (Kartikeya) association, the six Krittika stars who nurtured the Lord.
Maha Deepam at Tiruvannamalai
At Arunachaleswarar Temple, a massive cauldron of ghee is lit as the Maha Deepam atop the sacred Arunachala hill at dusk, visible for miles. Devotees gather in lakhs, take darshan, and perform Girivalam — the barefoot circumambulation of the hill — chanting "Arunachala Shiva".
How to Observe at Home
- At dusk, light rows of agal vilakku (clay lamps) at the doorway and altar.
- Perform Shiva puja with bilva leaves and a ghee lamp; chant Om Namah Shivaya.
- If near Tiruvannamalai, take Maha Deepam darshan and do Girivalam.
- Share the light — gift lamps and sweets to family and neighbours.
Mantra
Shiva: ॐ नमः शिवाय · oṃ namaḥ śivāya; and the invocation "Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva."
How the Diaspora Celebrates
Tamil and Hindu communities across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE and Germany light Karthigai lamps at home and at temples, with special Shiva abhishekams and Deepam programs, many livestreamed from Tiruvannamalai.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Karthigai Deepam 2026?
Karthigai Deepam falls on the full-moon day of the Tamil month Karthigai when the Krittika nakshatra prevails — around early December 2026; confirm with your local Tamil panchangam.
What is Maha Deepam?
At Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, a great cauldron-lamp (Maha Deepam) is lit atop the Arunachala hill at dusk, seen as Shiva’s infinite column of light (Lingodbhava).
What is the story behind it?
It recalls Lingodbhava — Shiva appearing as a limitless pillar of fire whose top and base Brahma and Vishnu could not find — symbolising the formless infinite.
How is it observed at home?
Homes light rows of agal vilakku (clay lamps) at dusk, do Shiva puja and chant Om Namah Shivaya; many perform Girivalam (circumambulating Arunachala).
Key Takeaways
- Karthigai Deepam 2026: ~early December (Karthigai full moon, Krittika).
- Celebrates Lingodbhava — Shiva as the infinite light.
- Maha Deepam atop Arunachala; light agal vilakku at home; chant Om Namah Shivaya.
See Karthika Masam 2026, Karthika Pournami 2026 and Karthika Mantras.
