Tamil Nadu: Karthigai Deepam Chariot festival held in Madurai

The Karthigai Deepam Chariot festival was held with religious zeal and enthusiasm in Madurai’s Tiruparangunram. The festival was celebrated after two years of muted festivities due to the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Devotees across the state reached Tiruparangunram to participate in the Chariot festival.

Karthigai Deepam commenced on November 28 with a traditional flag hoisting. Today was the main day, when devotees pulled a chariot carrying god idols.

The chariot festival is considered as one of the most important and holy festivals in Madurai.

This ancient festival is very important among the Tamils and is also celebrated in nearby states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Karthigai Deepam is an ancient festival and people from long back have been associated to this auspicious occasion. The actual history may not be clearly stated in the scriptures but some citations have been found in the ancient writings.