I helped my mum make ‘Sakkarai Pongal’ or Pongal rice last Sunday. Obviously not biased but she does make the tastiest Pongal rice I’ve ever had. This time around, she also got the thumbs-up from my husband, who doesn’t normally like the texture or taste of sweet rice. He likened it to a really delicious version of rice pudding.

The sweet rice was for Karthigai Deepam (Karthigai). Another Indian festival of lights. The other being Deepavali. To me, Karthigai is the actual festival of lights. Growing up, we – my family – used to light up many ‘Agal vilakku’ or oil lamps made of real clay and earth – all around the house. This was when we lived in landed properties – houses with small compounds and gardens. We placed the oil lamps on the floor inside and outside our homes, on fences and wooden vertical steps that my older brother purposely built for them.

It was quite a job. First the oil lamps had to be soaked, washed and cleaned for the big day. They were then filled with oil. Then came the difficult part. Making sure the wicks stayed in place and didn’t get blown out by the wind. Ironically, the three days, yes, it is a three-day celebration, always seemed like the windiest three evenings of the year. A contest of sorts between the blowy winds and oil lamps that flickered and danced and beautifully illuminated the dark nights. I remember my brother, the keeper of the oil lamps, dutifully ensuring the lamps were well oiled and re-lit whenever any of them was extinguished by the persistently pesky strong breeze. He enjoyed staying up late into the night for the duration. Nice.

Living in a condominium doesn’t allow for an expansive display of oil lamps. Plus, I was concerned about fire, oil smells and slippery floors especially at my mum’s place. Eventually, we settled on five oil lamps, placed strategically at the entrance and balcony. Accompanied by twinkle lights. Still up since Deepavali. Not very traditional but festive nonetheless.

There are many festivals from January to December. My mum makes sweet rice as a prayer offering for a few of the them. Usually, they take place mid-month to mid-month (for example 14-17 January to 14-17 February). January kicks off with a major celebration, Pongal. A harvest and thanksgiving festival that is celebrated over four days. Sweet rice is present.  January-February is Thaipusam and February-March is Masimagam. No sweet rice. Both are high profile temple celebrations with devotees fulfilling vows by carrying ‘kavadis[1]’ and milk pots.

April welcomes the Tamil New Year. Sweet rice takes centre stage. In April-May and May-June, we have Chitra Pournami and Vaikasi Visakam respectively. No sweet rice. August-September is another big celebration – Ganesha Pooja. No sweet rice but the iconic ‘mothagam’ or sweet dumpling is the prayer offering. September-October is Sarawathi Pooja – the Goddess of Education. Sweet rice is present. I still remember placing my school bag and books in front of the altar. Praying and hoping to get through all my exams. As a working adult, my laptop vied for blessings.

October-November is usually Deepavali. No sweet rice but loads of other equally yummy goodies. November-December is Karthigai. I’ve always thought of Karthigai as sort of rounding up the year before we start again in January. November 2020 actually hosted both the festivals of lights – Deepavali (14 November) and Karthigai (29 November).

This year, for the first time, I learnt a few things about Karthigai. One: it’s called Karthigai Deepam. I only knew it as Karthigai. I honestly cannot recollect or remember any mention of the word Deepam. Of course, now that I know, it makes sense. Karthigai Deepam literally means Karthigai lights. So, it’s the festival of lights. People light earthen lamps at home and in temples. Two: the prayer and sweet rice are for Lord Shiva. According to my mum it is for Lord Muruga. So, I guess it’s for both Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga. Three: the oil lamps should be placed facing east[2].

This year, I also surprised myself by actually thinking that its rather nice to have so many festivals to look forward to and celebrate. Of course, it involves a bit of work and preparation. Apart from cooking sweet rice or other offerings, each festival involves cleaning the altar and tidying up my mum’s condo. There is also the hanging up of fresh green ‘Mayala’ or mango leaves to replace the old ones on the front door. And, getting ready a large enough banana leaf, betel leaves, betel nut, bananas, incense sticks and camphor for the prayers.  In the scheme of things, these are easy asks.

In 2021, I aim to pay a little more attention and be a little more enthusiastic about these festivals.