Chennai: The renowned Sri Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai near here is gearing up for the Karthigai Deepam festival commencing on December 3.

As in the previous years, this time too, temple authorities have proposed to take insurance coverage for temple staff and devotees. The Karthikai Deepam falls on December 12 this year and it draws several lakhs of devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu and India.

This is one of the biggest attractions at this ancient hill temple and the festival is celebrated as a 10-day festival known as Karthigai Brahmotsavam. On the first day the Lord Arunachaleswarar will be taken out in a procession on silver vahana.

The decorated idols of the Lord and Goddess are taken in a procession in various mounts on all days of the festival. On the tenth day, the festival starts at around 4 am when the Bharani deepam is lit. In the evening the Mahadeepam is lit on the top of the hill. Lord Arunachaleswarar is said to represent the form of agni on the hill top. There is a mammoth gathering on that day at the Arunachaleswarar temple to witness the sacred event. The night ceremony starts with Lord Periya nayagar going out in a procession on the Rishaba vahanam, which is made of gold.

Lord Chandrasekarar, Lord Parasakthi, Lord Subramaniar go in the boat and this is called Theppam, since it carried out in the tank. Lord Arunachaleswarar goes round the hill, known as Girivalam or pradhakshana, signifying the close of the festival.