In 2016, I went on a crazy solo cycle ride from Chennai to Kanchipuram and the next day to Tiruvannamalai. When I reached Tiruvannamalai, my adventure with Ramana Ashram and Arunachalam began – at least in this physical life. This place resonated deeply within me, so maybe I had past life connections, dunno. Anyway, it was here that I heard of the Kartigai Deepam festival. Being a Gujarati (north Indian) Jain kid, I was not aware of this festival until I visited this place.

This is a festival where a giant lamp is lit on top of the Arunachalam mountain (hill) in Tiruvannamalai. This hill has been a magnet for many yogis across centuries. Ramana Maharshi himself was a total devotee of Arunachalam. In traditional lore, Arunachalam is considered a form of Shiva. Not the abode of Shiva. The abode of Shiva is called ‘Kailash’. An actual form of Shiva.

Apart from this lamp lighting tradition, there are other rituals that people across Tamil Nadu and possibly other cultures also follow. My Coimbatore domestic helper told me that on this day, they would light the first lamp for the Arunachaleshwarar Temple of Tiruvannamalai.

At first, I wasn’t too interested in attending it. Because I avoid crowded events as much as possible, and Kartigai is definitely a super crowded time in Tiruvannamalai.

However, the next year – in 2017 on Kartigai Deepam day – I found myself in Lisbon and all of a sudden I started missing India and Tiruvannamalai a lot. Which is fairly weird for me, because I usually travel with no concern for where home is and when I will return.

Why am I so drawn to Tiruvannamalai?

Recently my neighbour in Coimbatore asked me about it, “why are you so drawn to Tiruvannamalai?”. And I thought back to this poignant afternoon in Lisbon when tears had rolled down my face as I thought of Arunachalam. Not of sadness, but of longing. Considering that I was staying in Europe, you’d think I would be enjoying my time. But I longed for south India and my ashram spaces deeply.

The next year, in 2018, I was in Isha Yoga Center in October and could have travelled to Tiru for Kartigai. But work requirements called me to Mumbai. So I headed there. And again I missed being in the South India for Kartigai. Again, uncannily on Kartigai deepam days I started missing / remembering South India and Tiruvannamalai / Arunachalam.

So I was very keen that the next year, 2019 I should visit Tiru for Kartigai. And so 3 months in advance in September itself I sent a mail to Ramanasramam asking for accommodation for 4 days of Kartigai celebrations. It is usually a 10 day festival with the main day being the Kartigai Deepam day.

Happily, I also shifted to Coimbatore in 2019. So I was already in South India during Kartigai. But my health has been going in circles. And I waited till the last day before cancelling the trip because can’t risk falling sick during Kartigai, a super crowded time in Tiru.

Kartigai Deepam is a special day at Isha Yoga Center too

And then I found out through Sadhguru’s twitter that Dhyanalinga at Isha Yoga Center also has a special day on this day.

20 years ago, on this day, we offered Dhyanalinga to the world. Dhyanalinga is the highest possible manifestation of the divine & an immense possibility to explore life in its full depth and dimension. I bow down to all who made it happen–Sg #KarthigaiDeepam #KarthigaiDeepam2019 pic.twitter.com/0wrJs8nFib

— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 10, 2019

So next year maybe I will look to be in the Isha Yoga Center. If not in Tiru.

Earlier I read a petition in the newspaper, for lighting the Kartigai fire on the Velliangiri hill. So maybe that’s another thing that will happen on Karitgai that is special 🙂

So anyway,

In Coimbatore lamps were lit outside buildings, houses and shops on the days leading to Kartigai. I felt a deep happiness to see this.

And then I was in Bangalore with some Tamil relatives on the actual Kartigai day. I was happy to see some special activities – bhabhi wore saree to office, sang some bhajans in the morning, some pooja at her mother’s place. And the mother made special sweets for Kartigai – Pori Urundai they are called.

Here’s a video of her making them 🙂

So in my own way I celebrated this festival and I was with people who were also celebrating. I was happy.

That’s my Kartigai Deepam story so far.

I feel like there is an interesting personal tryst developing with it.

Let’s see how I spend this festival next year.

You? Any personal trysts developing?