Karthigai Deepam (also Karthikai Deepam or Karthigai Vilakkidu) is one of the oldest and most beloved festivals of Tamil Nadu - a festival of lights celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month Karthigai, typically falling in late November or early December. On this day, the entire home is illuminated with rows of oil lamps - on window sills, doorsteps, courtyard walls and altar shelves - from dusk onward. The festival is particularly sacred to Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan, commemorating the appearance of Shiva as the infinite column of fire (Jyotirlinga) at Thiruvannamalai, where the famous Annamalai Deepam (beacon fire) is lit on the mountain. UK South Indian communities observe Karthigai Deepam at home and through temple events.

Any small, oil-holding deepam can be used for Karthigai - the tradition is specifically about quantity of light (the more lamps the better) rather than any specific lamp design. Small clay or brass deepam cups placed in rows of 3, 5, 7, or more across each step, window sill and surface are the traditional format. The CR Karthik Deepam No.2 (from Giri UK's Puja Plates & Stands range) is the standard small brass format for this massed-lamp tradition. For a home with multiple windows and a puja room, families typically need 30–100 small deepam for a full Karthigai display. Giri UK stocks Karthigai Deepam lamps suitable for the festival's massed-lamp tradition.

Sesame oil (gingelly oil) is the traditional and most commonly used oil for Karthigai Deepam lamps in Tamil Nadu. The association of sesame with Shiva (and with Saturn, who is propitiated during the Karthigai month) makes it the ritually correct choice for this festival. Coconut oil is also widely used, particularly in Kerala and in communities with Kerala-adjacent tradition. Pure ghee can be used for the primary altar deepam for maximum auspiciousness, while sesame oil is used for the household row lamps. Giri UK stocks sesame deepam oil in multiple sizes including large 5-litre Akhanda Deep format for extended festival-season lamp use.

For indoor Karthigai Deepam in a UK home: ensure all lamps are placed on stable, non-flammable surfaces (a stone windowsill, a ceramic tile tray, or a metal tray with raised edges). Use small, deep-cupped deepam rather than shallow ones to prevent oil spilling. Keep lamps away from curtains, paper and flammable materials. Never leave lit lamps unattended - the Karthigai tradition involves lighting lamps at dusk and watching them for the evening, not leaving them overnight. For homes with children, use the larger Karthigai Deepam formats (more stable) rather than very small clay cups. An adult should always be present while lamps are burning.

Absolutely - Karthigai Deepam is celebrated in thousands of UK South Indian homes including flats. For flat dwellers: place lamps along indoor window sills (facing outward so the light is visible from outside), on balcony railings in suitable holders and across the puja room altar. Balcony Karthigai displays using battery-operated LED diyas alongside real oil lamps are increasingly popular in the UK as a safe, council-regulation-compliant option. The real oil lamp tradition is maintained at the home altar puja room, while decorative LED lamps extend the visual effect to the rest of the flat. Giri UK stocks both oil deepam (for the puja) and the deepam oil needed for this celebration.

Giri UK (giriuk.com) stocks Karthigai Deepam lamps, sesame deepam oil (including large multi-pack sizes for the festival season), cotton wicks and Akhanda Deep oil for extended burning. The Traditional Indian Lamps and Deepam Oil categories together provide everything needed for a Karthigai celebration. As the UK franchisee of Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, Giri UK is one of the most accessible and reliable UK sources for South Indian festival lamp supplies. Ordering in advance of Karthigai (4–6 weeks before) is recommended as stock in popular lamp sizes sells out ahead of the festival.