KARTHIGAI DEEPAM 2024

In Hindu legend some legends state that the deity Shiva created Kartikeya (Murugan) from his third eye[note 1] or his six primary faces (tatpurusam[note 2] aghoram[note 3] sadyojātam[note 4] vāmadevam[note 5] iśānam[note 6] and adhómukham[note 7]). It is believed that these six faces transformed into six children and each of them brought up by six Kartika nymphs (Śiva Sambhūti Prīti Sannati Anasūya and Kṣamā[6] sometimes also rendered Dula Nitatni Abhrayanti Varshayanti Meghayanti and Chipunika) later merged into one by his mother Parvati. These six nymphs are regarded to represent the cluster of six stars that make up the Kartika constellation.[7]

As the six nymphs had helped in rearing the child Shiva is said to have bestowed immortality upon the six nymphs created to become eternal stars in the sky. Any worship performed to these six stars is regarded to be equal to worshiping Murugan himself and are hence sacred to Shaivas. They are worshiped by lighting up rows of oil lamps (deepam) in the evening of the festival day around houses and streets.[8] Kartika Deepam is also celebrated as the birthday of Kartikeya.

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