Karthikai Deepam

Karthikai Deepam is a festival of lights celebrated by Tamil Hindus on the full moon day of "Karthikai" month (November/December). Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps ("Deepam") the evening of the festival day. The huge lamp lit at Tiruvannamalai hills is very famous.

Karthikai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals celebrated by the Tamil people. The festival finds reference in Sangam literature like "Ahananuru" and the poems of Auvaiyar. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2001/11/29/stories/2001112900030100.htm "The Hindu": Glow of prosperity] ]

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