Thrikarthika - Festival of Lights in Kerala

This is a rather short write up.  Considering, I am not religiously obedient or fall within the devout part of the population, I hadn't imagined writing up on something such as "Thrikarthika".  My inspiration to write came from yesterday's visit to the Raja Rajeswari Temple located in Palarivattom, Kochi.  

Thrikarthika is the festival of lights celebrated in Kerala on a full moon day during November/December months.  The dates differ year to year, I believe with the changes in the moon or so.  It is also celebrated in other states of South India with different nomenclatures like Karthiga Deepam, Karthika Poornima, Karthika Pournami etc. 

At Raja Rajeshwari Temple, the floor surrounding the temple, the chuttuvilakku - which are the rows of lamps that are embedded into the temple walls, were all filled with oil and thiri (wick).  Every person who came could  take a stick (seemed like small branches ripped off from trees), a strip of white cloth and a piece of thread.  Once the strip of cloth is tied onto the stick and tied with the thread, it is dipped into a huge vessel of oil.  Then, we lit the oil cloth that is clad on the stick and went lighting the diyas on the floor surrounding the temple. The happiness from seeing a thousand illuminating lights alike gold dust sprinkled on the floor, when all the lamps are lit simulteanously is fulfilling, peaceful and lights up the heart. Ohh! the golden hues....Here goes a few pictures!!