Overview of The Arunachaleshwor Shiva Temple from the top of the Mt. Arunachala. South India.

Sadhu at the Karttika Deepam festival.

Devotees praying at the main entrance to the Temple complex prior to Karttika Deepam festival.

Devotees praying at the main entrance to the Temple complex prior to Karttika Deepam festival.

Devotees at the Karttika Deepam festival.

Devotees at the Karttika Deepam festival.

Wife of majhi being blessed with tika—yellow powder paste prior to the festival.

Priest blessing majhis and giving them the string wicks and earthen vessel that contains main flame, to carry to the Mt Arunachala.

Priest blessing majhis and giving them the string wicks and earthen vessel that contains main flame, to carry to the Mt Arunachala.

Devotees praying at the main entrance to the Temple complex prior to Karttika Deepam festival.

It is considered a blessing to carry or even touch the thick braided cotton wicks that will be lit on Krittika Deepam.

It is considered a blessing to carry or even touch the thick braided cotton wicks that will be lit on Krittika Deepam.

It is considered a blessing to carry or even touch the thick braided cotton wicks that will be lit on Krittika Deepam.

Main majhi is carries flame and others follow him with string wicks to the Mt. Arunachala.

Main majhi is carries flame and others follow him with string wicks to the Mt. Arunachala.

Main majhi is carries flame and others follow him with string wicks to the Mt. Arunachala.

Main majhi is carries flame and others follow him with string wicks to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Main majhi is carries flame and others follow him with string wicks to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees walking towards to the Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees loading and unloading Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees loading and unloading Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees at Mt. Arunachala.

Devotees at Mt. Arunachala.

Foot prints of Lord Shiva.

Within sight of the peak of Arunachala and oblivious to puring rain, devotees struggle to catch a glimpse of the holy vessel that will contain the sacred Krittika flame.

Within sight of the peak of Arunachala and oblivious to puring rain, devotees struggle to catch a glimpse of the holy vessel that will contain the sacred Krittika flame.

Within sight of the peak of Arunachala and oblivious to puring rain, devotees struggle to catch a glimpse of the holy vessel that will contain the sacred Krittika flame.

Devotees marching up the hill beside the downpour, which failed to lessen their festivity spirit.

Within sight of the peak of Arunachala and oblivious to puring rain, devotees struggle to catch a glimpse of the holy vessel that will contain the sacred Krittika flame.

The colourful festivities prior to the flame lighting in the temple draws record crowds.

Volunteers and District Police making proper arrangements for sea of devotees.

Lighting temple flame.

Lighting temple flame.

Lighting temple flame.

Lighting temple flame.

Lighting temple flame.

Aarati at Tiruvannamalai temple

On Krittika deepam day, a flame lit in Tiruvannamalai temple signals thelighting of another fire atop mountain Arunachala.

On Krittika deepam day, a flame lit in Tiruvannamalai temple signals thelighting of another fire atop mountain Arunachala.

The vast Tiruvannamalai Shiva temple as viewed from the top of Mt. Arunachala.

The vast Tiruvannamalai Shiva temple as viewed from the top of Mt. Arunachala.