Lights, positivity, prayers, and happiness!
Karthika deepam or karthigai deepam, as it’s called in South India, is a very auspicious festival celebrated by millions across the world! be it in India or overseas, if you encounter a family lighting lamps and decorating their house along with preparing yummy food, then its time for another festival, also called as a post-Diwali celebration.
While one part of India celebrates this festival to welcome Goddess Karthiyayeni Bhagavathi, the other part of India celebrates this festival to welcome the month of lights, also called Karthika Maasalu (month). The holy month marks its beginning from the day of Diwali and lasts for about 30 days, which marks the completion of one month.
Every part of India celebrates this festival with different names and in different ways, with the only motto of praying God to bless them and their family with health, wealth, prosperity, and happiness!
Now comes the question – why do we celebrate Karthigai deepam when we celebrate Diwali?
Like Diwali is the festival of lights, Karthihgai deepam has different purposes all over India. Light, being a symbol of adding brightness to life, is also believed to remove all negativity and surround our lives and surroundings with prosperity and joy! Also, this is one of the main reasons why all households firmly believe in lighting a lamp in the evening and placing it in front of god. This festival also marks the beginning of another auspicious festival, Bhai-dooj, which is widely celebrated in all parts of India.
Rishika H Powany 