Karthigai Deepam 2025: Sacred Cauldron descends from Thiruvannamalai hilltop, temple preparations begin

Karthigai Deepam 2025: Sacred Cauldron descends from Thiruvannamalai hilltop, temple preparations begin (image: PTI/2024)

Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu: Marking the conclusion of one of Tamil Nadu’s most revered festivals, the sacred cauldron used for lighting the Karthigai Maha Deepam atop the Thiruvannamalai hill was ceremonially brought back to the Arunachaleswarar Temple at the foothills on Sunday.

The descent of the cauldron, known as Kopparai in Tamil, is considered a deeply symbolic moment in the Karthigai Deepam festival. The massive copper vessel had been placed on the summit of the 2,668-foot-high Arunachala hill, where the Maha Deepam was lit on the evening of December 3.

The sacred flame, lit using ghee and a special variety of cotton cloth as the wick, continued to burn uninterrupted for nearly 11 days. During this period, the towering flame was visible from villages located several kilometres away, reinforcing the belief that Arunachala itself is a living form of Lord Shiva.

On the first day alone, nearly 600 kg of ghee, around 10 kg of camphor, and about 1,500 metres of cloth were used to ignite and sustain the divine fire. The sight of the flame atop the hill remains one of the most powerful spiritual experiences associated with the festival.

Every year, the cauldron is carried to the hilltop as part of the Karthigai Deepam rituals. Devotees regard Thiruvannamalai hill as a direct manifestation of the Almighty, worshipped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachala, both sacred forms of Lord Shiva. The lighting of the Maha Deepam symbolises the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

The 10-day annual Karthigai Deepam festival began on November 24 with the traditional hoisting of the temple flag at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Thousands of devotees from across the country participated in various rituals and ceremonies during the festival period.

After its return to the temple, the soot collected inside the cauldron will be distributed to devotees as prasad in the coming days. Many believe this sacred ash carries divine blessings and spiritual merit.

A devotee, sharing the moment on social media, described the event as a quiet yet powerful transition, noting that after illuminating the skies for 11 days, the Maha Deepam “descended in silence and grace.”

The return of the sacred cauldron marks the formal end of Karthigai Deepam 2025, reaffirming the festival’s enduring spiritual significance. Rooted in centuries-old tradition, the ritual continues to draw devotees who believe that witnessing the Deepam or even remembering Arunachala brings peace, clarity and liberation.