‘Mahadeepam’ lit atop Tirupparankundram hillock in Madurai

Devotees celebrate Karthigai Deepam festival with Mahadeepam lighting at Subramaniaswamy Temple in Tirupparankundram.

Hundreds of devotees stood at the foothill chanting ‘Arogara’ as the ‘Mahadeepam’ was lit atop the hillock near the famous Subramaniaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram on the occasion of ‘Karthigai Deepam’ festival on Friday.  

Alongside the event, lamps were lit at houses and commercial establishments near the temple to celebrate the occasion. 

The ‘Mahadeepam’ was fuelled by a copper cauldron holding more than 160 kg of ghee and five kg of camphor. The wick was made with around 100 metres of cloth soaked in ghee overnight.  

Following the event, devotees witnessed the ‘Chokkapanai’ (palm tree) that was lit near the temple.  

Commissioner of Police J. Loganathan was present at the venue. 

Several lakhs of small clay lamps, ‘kilianchatti’ or ‘agal vilakku’ were placed around the Golden Lotus Tank at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. Devotees in huge numbers visited the temple for the special procession taken out in the evening.