On 3 December 2025, the sacred town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu witnessed an awe-inspiring surge of devotion — as lakhs of pilgrims descended upon the town for the annual Karthigai Deepam celebrations, culminating in the lighting of the legendary Mahadeepam atop the sacred Annamalai Hill. Precious moments, sacred rituals, logistical marvels, and a breathtaking flame visible for miles — here is how the festival unfolded in 2025.

The Spiritual Significance: What is Karthigai Deepam?

Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest and most revered festivals in Tamil culture, with roots tracing back to the ancient Sangam era. The festival is celebrated on the full-moon day in the Tamil month of Karthigai, typically in November or December. For followers of Shaivism, it marks the divine moment when Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of fire — symbolizing the cosmic light that dispels darkness and ignorance.

In the town of Tiruvannamalai, the festival takes on a grander form: instead of just clay oil lamps by households, devotees witness the lighting of a massive ghee-fuelled lamp on top of Annamalai Hill — a sacred flame believed to be visible for miles, symbolizing Shiva’s eternal presence.

The 2025 Festival: From Early Morning Rituals to Hilltop Illumination

The 10-day festival at the ancient Arunachaleswarar Temple began on 24 November 2025 with flag-hoisting. On the culminating day, the temple precincts came alive at dawn — at 4 a.m., priests performed the ceremonial lighting of the smaller but sacred Bharani Deepam in the sanctum’s Arthamandapam.

From this flame, five lamps symbolizing the five classical elements were lit and distributed to different shrines across the temple. The flame was then taken in a grand procession through the Vaikunta Vasal towards the hill, eventually reaching the shrine of Unnamulai Amman, where thousands of devotees chanted blessings in unison.

In the evening — around 6 p.m. — the atmosphere reached its crescendo. As the sacred procession of Ardhanareeswarar entered the temple, the grand Mahadeepam was lit atop Annamalai Hill. The lamp — fueled by copra and ghee, with an enormous wick stretching over a kilometre — erupted into a blazing flame that will burn continuously for 11 days. Onlookers describe the sight as ethereal, with the glow visible from nearly 40 kilometres away.

Once the lamp is lit, believers everywhere — especially in Tamil Nadu — light lamps at their homes, reciting prayers and connecting spiritually with the divine flame atop the hill.

Unprecedented Scale: Crowd, Security & Logistics

2025’s Karthigai Deepam saw one of the largest turnouts in recent history. Officials estimated that around 40 to 45 lakh devotees would converge on Tiruvannamalai for the Maha Deepam ritual.

To manage the massive influx, authorities rolled out one of the most comprehensive crowd-management operations to date:

  • Over 15,000 police personnel are deployed across the town.

  • 130 designated parking zones and 24 temporary bus stations set up to handle vehicular traffic.

  • Around 4,700 special buses were mobilised — complemented by dedicated train services — to ferry devotees from across Tamil Nadu.

  • Along the sacred 14-km “Girivalam” pilgrimage path around Annamalai hill, free food distribution centres, sanitation facilities, and crowd-control measures ensured smooth flow even with the heavy footfall.

Officials also turned to technology: AI-based crowd-management systems tracked congestion hotspots, analysed crowd movement patterns, and triggered real-time alerts to manage density — a step-up from previous years.

Despite early morning rainfall that slowed the initial flow, by evening the crowds swelled — making the lighting of the Mahadeepam not just a ritual, but a testament to collective faith, devotion, and human spirit.

Spiritual Unity & Cultural Resonance: Why Maha Deepam Still Draws Millions

The gathering at Tiruvannamalai this year is more than just numbers — it’s a reaffirmation of enduring faith. For many, witnessing the Maha Deepam is not just a momentary spectacle, but a deeply spiritual experience: the flame atop Annamalai Hill is considered a living symbol of the divine — a beacon that connects devotees across generations and geographies.

In 2025, the fervour was amplified. For many pilgrims — from Tamil Nadu, other Indian states, and even overseas — the event offered a rare opportunity to partake in age-old rituals, feel connected to shared heritage, and experience a collective spiritual transcendence.

Moreover, the massive scale and smooth handling also reflect how traditional festivals are adapting to modern times — blending time-honoured customs with contemporary logistics, crowd safety, and technological support.

What This Year’s Festival Signifies — And What Comes Next

Karthigai Deepam 2025 at Tiruvannamalai stands as a reminder of the enduring power of faith, community, and cultural heritage. The convergence of millions for a shared spiritual purpose — despite logistical challenges, weather, and the pressures of modern life — is nothing short of remarkable.

At the same time, the scale of the event also underscores the need for robust urban planning, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism strategies — especially if such festivals continue to draw ever-larger crowds.

As the sacred flame of the Mahadeepam continues to burn over the next 11 days, it will serve as a radiant symbol — of tradition, unity, devotion, and hope.