Bharani Deepam and Its Significance
Bharani Deepam symbolizes Lord Shiva, who manifested as an eternal pillar of fire—without beginning or end (Jyotirlinga)—before Brahma and Vishnu.
The Karthigai Deepam festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Kartika, is over 3,000 years old and finds mention in early Tamil scriptures.
The Significance of Bharani Deepam According to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi composed a Tamil verse to describe the deeper spiritual significance of the Bharani Deepam, which is lit every year on the Arunachala Hill. The verse is as follows:
“Ittanuvē nānām enu-madiyai nīttapbuddhi idayattē porundi-aga nōkkāladduvita mā-mey agac-chuḍar-kāṇ gai-bhūmaddi-yenum Aṇṇā malaicchuḍar-kāṇ meyyē.”
Meaning: The true meaning of witnessing the flame (Karthigai Deepam) on Arunachala, the Heart center of the world, is realizing the Light of the Real Self—one without a second—after letting go of the belief that “I am this body,” and instead, letting the mind rest in the Heart through self-inquiry and meditation.
The Story of Bharani Deepam
According to legend, once Lord Vishnu and Brahma quarreled over who was the greatest. After an intense debate, they turned to Lord Shiva for a resolution.
Lord Shiva, in his wisdom, declared that the one who could find the beginning or end of his form would be the greatest. To demonstrate his supremacy, Lord Shiva appeared as a towering pillar of fire with no beginning or end—this form is known as Jyotirlinga.
Brahma, taking the form of a swan, and Vishnu as a boar, both set out on an elaborate search to locate the origin or end of the flame. In their search, they realized that the Supreme Being has no boundaries, no start, and no end.
The Bharani Deepam, lit on the Annamalai Hills, commemorates this divine manifestation of Lord Shiva as the Jyotirlinga.
How is Bharani Deepam Lit?
The process of lighting the Maha Deepam begins with the transport of a massive cauldron to the top of Annamalai Hill, a seven-kilometer trek. The cauldron stands ten feet tall and five feet in diameter, and is carried on poles by the temple authorities known as the Nattar.
Once atop the hill, the cauldron is filled with thousands of kilograms of ghee. A special cloth is used to create a wick that stretches over 300 meters and is then placed inside the cauldron.
On the day of Karthigai Maha Deepam, devotees climb the hill to offer their personal contributions of ghee, which are poured into the cauldron using long poles.
The brilliance of the Bharani Deepam can be seen from a radius of 35 kilometers, symbolizing the eternal light of Lord Shiva’s presence.