The festival, inaugurated on the 17th with traditional flag hoisting, spans ten days at the Arunachaleswar Swamy temple. The main event, Karthigai Deepam, is set for November 26.
On the 6th day of the festival (November 22), a street procession featured 63 Nayanmars (Saiva Saints) in Chandrasekaraswamy’s silver chariot, with Panchamurthys parading in silver chariots. Young school boys, drenched in rain, joyfully carried small pallakkus holding the 63 Saiva Saints, dispelling claims of a solely political soil.
Despite the rain, the Rathotsava or Temple car roll-out function proceeded, with Panchamurthys parading in Pancharatha (five temple cars). The air resonated with chants of “Har Har Mahadev.”
The climax, Karthigai Deepam, commences on the 26th. Bharani Deepam lights up the temple at 4 am, followed by Theerthavari at Sri Subramaniyar Brahma Theertha Kulam and Mahadeepam at the hills summit around 6 pm, concluding the ten-day festival.
In an unusual move, the DMK government’s HR and CE department announced increased rates to witness the Deepam festival. Tickets for Bharani Deepam cost Rs. 500 each, while Mahadeepam tickets are Rs. 600 each for 100 people and Rs. 500 each for 1000 devotees. Critics argue this approach may discourage devotees, signalling a potential shift in the cultural landscape.
