In India the weeks and months are marked by Hindu festivals and celebrations that are a big part of life in Tiruvannamalai and the nearby villages, as well as rites and ‘functions’ that are basically family-oriented events. Some of these seem like big parties, with thousands or tens of thousands participating. Some are small and personal. All of them are different ways of expressing the deeply held religious values found in South Indian.
The largest of these festivals is Karthigai Deepam, celebrated in November/December. Deepam honors the most significant spiritual story associated with Tiruvannamalai, that of Siva resolving a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu with an endless column of light. Deepam is played out over ten days of festivities, featuring daily parades of the gods through the streets of Tiruvannamalai, and ends with the lighting of the Deepam Torch on the Holy Hill.
Holidays and Festival Listing
South Indian life revolves around a cycle of holidays and festivals. Here is a list of the most important ones. Many visitors who focus on Ramanasramam do not notice much about these festivals. They are colorful and can have spiritual and personal depth. Here is a list of important holidays and Festivals in Tiruvannamalai.
Using This Page
This page provides a listing of posts on Deepam and other festivals, celebrations and rites. It will be updated from time to time as more postings are written.
At Ramanasramam
Fifty Ninth Aradhana of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
Cow Pongal at Ramanasramam & Tiruvannamalai
Athirudra Maha Yagnam at Ramanasramam
In Tiruvannamalai
Ganesh Celebration in Tiruvannamalai
Narayana Gopala – A Special Day Dedicated to Vishnu
Navratri Scenes in Tiruvannamalai
Ayuda Pooja in Tiruvannamalai – 8 October 2008
Happy Diwali – Deepāvali Vartukal from Tiruvannamalai
Blankets for Old People on Deepavalai
More on Deepavali in Tiruvannamalai
Full Moon Pradakshina – Part One
Full Moon Pradakshina – Part Two
Happy Pongal from Samuthiram Village
In Nearby Villages
Village Rain Ceremony
Tamil Coming of Age
South Indian Village Wedding
Family Feast in Gondapatai Village
South Indian Village Funeral
South Indian Village Shraddha
The Gods Do Arunachala Pradakshina
Family and Personal Celebrations
Special Puja for Dancing Swami
Sadhu Feeding for Carol’s Birthday
Bhoomi Puja Before Building New House
Lintel Puja for New House
Ganesh Puja for New House
Wedding for Western Woman and Indian Man
Sadhu Feeding on Arunachala’s Pradakshina Road
Deepam
Deepam 2010
Tiruvannamalai Starts to Prepare for Deepam
Procession of the 63 Nayanmar Saints
Day of Maha Radha
Deepam Aftermath
Deepam 2009
Deepam 2009 – First Day Chariots
Deepam 2009 – Second Day’s Procession
Deepam 2009 – Getting ready for the big day
Deepam 2009 – Day of the Big Chariots
Deepam 2009 – The Night of the Silver Chariots
Deepam 2009 – Getting the Torch to the Top of Arunachala
Deepam Night in Tiruvannamalai
Deepam and the Day After
Deepam 2008
Processions of the Gods
Deepam Day, and Deepam Celebration
Deepam – Preparing the Flame
