On the full moon day of the month of Karthikai (November-December) which falls on the ascension of the Karthikai star, Karthikai Deepam is celebrated in the Vedic Tradition. It is on this day, when the Sun sets and the Moon raises, the huge beacon is lit on the holy hill Arunachala in Tiruvannamali located in South India and when Goddess Devi attained the state of Enlightenment and became part of Shiva.

To symbolically represent this, soon after the huge beacon is lit in Tiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva in the form of Ardanareshwara (Shiva & Devi together, where Devi becomes part of Shiva) will be going out in a procession in Tiruvannamalai.

Karthikai Deepam was celebrated at the Vedic Temple with Abishekam of Anandedshwara, grand alankar, the lighting of lamps, and Maha Arati.

Following are pictures from Karthikai Deepam on Dec 12, 2008 at the Nithyananda Vedic Temple, Los Angeles (Montclair).