- By Kashish Rai
- Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karthigai Deepam 2025: Karthika Deepam or Karthigai Deepam is the festival of lights mainly celebrated by the members of the Tamil community. The sacred festival of Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day or Pournami tithi of the month of Karthigai coinciding with Krittika nakshatra. Although the festival is associated with Kartik Purnima, it falls on a different day due to the correction of equinox in the Tamil calendar. This year, the sacred occasion of Karthigai Deepam is being observed on 4th December 2025.
Know important details regarding the date, Karthigai Nakshatram timings, significance and rituals for Karthika Deepam below:
Karthigai Deepam 2025: Date And Karthigai Nakshatram Timings
- Karthigai Deepam 2025 Date: 4th December 2025, Thursday
- Karthigai Nakshathram Begins: 05:59 PM, 3rd December 2025
- Karthigai Nakshathram Ends: 02:54 PM, 4th December 2025
Karthigai Deepam 2025: Significance
There are two major legends behind the Karthigai Deepam festival. The first legend recounts a divine dispute between Lord Vishnu and Brahma. Both gods declared that they were the greatest. To end this dispute, Lord Shiva manifested himself as an endless pillar of fire, stretching from the sky to the earth. Neither Vishnu nor Brahma could find the beginning or end of this pillar of fire, leading them to realise that the Lord's form is limitless. People light lamps on this sacred day to honour this divine light.
One more story tells of Lord Murugan's origin. Old writings say Murugan came from six sparks from Lord Shiva's third eye, which the six Krittika girls looked after, raising him into Shri Murugan or Kartikeyan. He appeared as a six-faced god called Aarumugam. This celebration of Karthigai Deepam marks the link between the Krittika star and the divine child, representing bravery, knowledge, and safety.
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Karthigai Deepam is the Tamil festival of lights. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan. (Image Source: Canva)
Karthigai Deepam holds importance for devotees of both Shiva and Murugan because of associated legends. The diyas illuminated on this sacred festival are believed to dispel negativity and promote well-being.
Karthigai Deepam 2025: Rituals
The Karthigai Deepam celebration centers on lighting diyas to bring warmth and peace to homes. People often clean their homes and wash the doors the morning of the festival. People also make rangoli with rice flour to decorate the entrance and symbolise an invitation for wealth.
As night falls, people light diyas in their houses. They fill clay lamps with sesame oil or ghee and then light them. People place lamps on windows, balconies, doors, and near the prayer room. Some families arrange the lamps in rows, making a bright path around the house.
During this celebration, many households create mawa laddus, or Maavilakku, using rice flour, jaggery, and cardamom. A small lamp is put in this sweet mix and then lit as an offering to deities. Sisters offer prayers wishing their brothers well, and relatives come together to sing religious songs and eat festive meals.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)