Sacred Flame Descends: Karthigai Maha Deepam Cauldron Returns

The Karthigai Maha Deepam cauldron returned to the Arunachaleswarar temple after illuminating Thiruvannamalai hill for 11 days. Held annually, the festival uses significant amounts of ghee, cloth, and camphor to keep the flame burning atop the hill. The soot from the cauldron is distributed as prasad to devotees.

The revered Karthigai Maha Deepam cauldron has been brought back to Arunachaleswarar temple after its annual lighting ceremony atop Thiruvannamalai hill.

This sacred event, initiated on December 3 and lasting 11 days, used ghee, camphor, and special cotton cloth to illuminate the hill, visible from distant villages.

The festival, an homage to Lord Shiva, concludes with soot from the cauldron being given to devotees as a blessed prasad.