Transliteration: Karthigai English Months: Mid November to Mid December Meaning of the Name: Karthigai is the eighth month of the Tamil calendar. The name comes from the Krittika Nakshatra — the star cluster also known as the Pleiades. This month is synonymous with light and is one of the most visually beautiful months in the Tamil calendar due to the tradition of lighting lamps everywhere. Significance: Karthigai is the month of light in Tamil culture. Every home lights rows of lamps in the evenings throughout the month. The month is associated with Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan. Spiritually it represents the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Key Festivals and Events: Karthigai Deepam (கார்த்திகை தீபம்) The most important festival of this month. A massive lamp is lit atop Thiruvannamalai hill representing Lord Shiva as a column of fire. This beacon is visible for miles around. Millions of devotees circumambulate the Thiruvannamalai hill on this day. ...