Thousands of people today offered worship at various Lord Shiva temples and Lord Muruga shrines, including the Subramaniaswamy temple at Tiruparankundram, on the occasion of the Karthigai deepam festival.
The 'karthigai deepam' was lit on top of the Tiruparankundram hill amid tight security.
Security was tightened on top of the hill as the police feared that some outfits could cause problem.
The festival began with the flag hoisting. The deepam was lit in the sanctum sanctorum in the evening after which the 'mahadeepam' was lit on top of the hill.
The deepam was lit near Sri Uchi Pillayarswamy temple at Tiruparankundram using 300kg of ghee and traditional wick made of several metres of clothes was used to light the deepam.
Incidentally, karthigai star is also the birth star of Lord Muruga.
People around the temple also celebrated Karthigai with piety and fevour offering sweet rice flake balls to the deities,and lighting lamps in their houses.
Deepam festival was celebrated in Palani and Tiruchendur also.
In rural temples, the festival was celebrated with 'Sokka Panai'(bonfire).One lakh clay lamps on the premises marked the deepam celebration at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
