Krithigai/Karthigai

Lord Muruga is believed to born on the day of karthigai. Therefore Lord Muruga is also called as 'Karthikeyan'. Krithigai is one of the very special day for Lord Muruga. Though krithigai is celebrated every month in hindu lunar month, three krithigai is considered to be very important.

'Thai kirthigai' is very significiant for Lord Muruga. It falls on the month of January or february. Devotees undergo fasting, do poojas and other rituals.
The krithigai which comes in the month of july or august is named as 'Aadi Krithigai'. People worship God, undergo fast and do other rituals. They also take bath in holy water. Devotees will lift paalkavadi or panneer kavadi (one of the ceremony will be done on the day of 'Aadi krithigai').

The krithigai which comes in the month of november or december is very important festival in hindu culture. The krithigai which comes in this month is called as "Karthigai Deepam" On this day, hindus decorate their houses by lighting diyas. People will go to the temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga. On the day of Karthigai Deepam, the holy barani deepam(diya or light) is lighted on the top of the hill in Thiruvannamalai. To see this lighting ceremony, lakhs of people will come to Thiruvannamalai every year. Some will go for 'Girivalam' (walk around the holy mountain). Some people will even burst crackers on the day of Karthigai Deepam.
People who undergo fasting, worship the God and chanting hymns will be blessed with happy life and the God will remove all difficulties of his devotees.