One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami பௌர்ணமி ) of the month of Karthigai, as per South Indian calender. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha பெருவிழா) of the ancient Tamizhs. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs. Karthikai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals celebrated by the Tamizh people. The festival finds reference in Sangam literature like Ahananuru and the poems of Auvaiyar.
Lord Shiva appeared as a endless flame of light before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who each considered himself supreme and said that the matter could be tested if the two could search for Lord Shiva's Head and feet. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (Tamil:Varahan வரஹன் ) and delved deep into the earth, Lord Brahma that of a swan (Tamil: Annamஅன்னம்) and flew towards the skies. Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned. But Lord Brahma, chancing upon a piece of Thaazhampoo தாழம்பூ , a flower, learnt from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva's head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen the other's top. Lord Siva realized the falsehood and pronounced that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also interdicted the use of the flower Thaazhampoo in his worship. Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is called Maha Deepam.
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